The Sharpie marker has become an indispensable tool in the hands of artists, students, and professionals around the world. Its ubiquity belies its relatively short history — the first Sharpie markers only hit store shelves in 1964. Despite their brief existence, they’ve made a major impact on society because of their versatility and ease of use.
But who invented the Sharpie? Interestingly enough, it was actually a team effort among several innovators at the
Sanford Ink Company.
Sanford L.P., which is now known as Newell Brands after being acquired by that company in 1992, is a manufacturer of writing instruments and art supplies based in Oak Brook, Illinois. The company was founded in Massachusetts back in 1857 by Frederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford Jr., both former employees of American Stationery Company.
Sanford initially manufactured ink for rubber stamps but expanded into other products such as fountain pens before settling primarily on ballpoint pens by mid-century. It was during this time that Sidney Rosenthal joined Sanford’s research department as a chemist.
Rosenthal had been working with companies like Dupont Chemicals on new types of permanent ink when he began exploring different formulas for indelible markers. One day while watching his wife iron clothes with a hot iron applied directly to damp fabric (something rarely done anymore), he had an epiphany: what if you could create an ink that would resist both water AND heat?
With this insight top-of-mind, Rosenthal went back to work experimenting until finally coming up with his recipe for an “ink resin” which wouldn’t dry out or fade over time due to exposure to sunlight or air circulation — two common reasons why typical felt-tip pens can degrade so quickly.
To test out his formula further still required more refinement because initially it ran too easily – much like magic markers do today – even though they were water-resistant right from the start unlike similar markers from its competitors. Rosenthal tackled this problem by adjusting the levels of xylene, a solvent used in making paint thinner and lacquer that improved flow control while not disturbing the ink’s ability to stick to almost any surface.
Rosenthal’s process still lacked an effective delivery system for his new ink. That changed when another Sanford researcher, Chuck Hodgdon, designed a patented Marker tip made up of two layers consisting of felt compressed between glass fibers called “capillary action” which helped regulate flow yet preventing excess ink being deposited on surfaces. This tip was incorporated into Rosenthal’s pen design as part of his discovery.
But after registering their product with the government without an available name at hand?, the name Sharpie emerged later only during one New Jersey business meeting in 1964 – certainly capitalizing on the pen marker’s nib points! The original Sharpee packaging included two fine-point black markers, and tipped entirely in gold lettering until it underwent various transformations over time adapted towards other colors and tips suitable for different purposes such as decorating pottery or labeling leather goods.
Sanford thus became pioneers in developing indelible markers with bold colors that can make permanent impressions resulting in a victory over acid-free pens lasting longer under typical drawing environments like paper or easels. Sanford sells hundreds of millions of Sharpies per year around various countries creating opportunities for more marketing successes.
In conclusion, Sidney Rosenthal nor Chuck Hodgdon invented the Sharpie Per se but co-created it along with fellow researchers at Sanfords Ink company back then – they should be proud knowing that even today artists & professionals won’t be able to live without these practical but powerful tools!.
The Sharpie marker: an indispensable tool in the hands of artists, students, and professionals all over the world. Its versatility and ease of use make it a common sight on desks, in classrooms, and within studios worldwide. But what is the history behind this essential pen? Who invented it? In this article, we will explore the origins of the Sharpie marker and how it has become a staple in our daily lives.
Sanford Ink Company
Before we dive into the creation story of Sharpie markers, let’s briefly discuss Sanford L.P., which later became known as Newell Brands after being acquired by that company in 1992. Founded back in 1857 by Frederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford Jr., both former employees of American Stationery Company were initially focused on manufacturing rubber stamps ink before diversifying into other products such as fountain pens but settled primarily on ballpoint pens by mid-century.
A chemist’s discovery
Innovation at Sanford started with Sidney Rosenthal who joined its research department becoming one out of five people involved in writing innovation for Sanford beginning his journey with Dupont Chemicals’ new types of permanent ink while working there—one day was watching his wife iron clothes when he had an epiphany – what if you could create an ink that would resist both water and heat?
With inspiration from his wife’s pressing realization, Rosenthal went back to work experimenting until finally discovering how to blend different formulas creating indelible markers capable of resisting degradation from exposure to sunlight or air circulation — two common reasons why typical felt-tip pens can fade away so quickly over time compared to their sharpie counterparts.
Refining formula with flow control
Rosenthal faced another problem: The formula produced ink that ran too easily much like magic markers today along with lacking proper regulation regarding flow control despite their degree resistance towards liquids early on above competitors’ similar products due its solvent characteristics containing Xylene material used widely in chemical applications. Solving this problem required adjustments with xylene levels to improve control while not disturbing the ink’s ability to cling onto almost any surface whatsoever.
An effective delivery system
Despite being able to produce an indelible ink, Rosenthal still required a reliable method for getting his new formula into customer’s hands, which was then answered by another Sanford researcher named Chuck Hodgdon. He designed patentable markers that use felt compressed between glass fibers ultimately resulting in what is known today as capillary action—helping regulate flow and preventing excessive ink from depositing itself elsewhere on surfaces you want it off of — a design element that would become part of Rosenthal’s product typically utilized within Sharpie essentials.
The Birth of The Sharpie Marker
But without a name yet derived after its creation and registration process, leading up to their next step? An unexpected moment occurring during one meeting led towards the birth of the Sharpee brand marker later on with packaging including two black fine-point markers tipped entirely in gold lettering signaling greatness ahead under Sanford Ink Company’s auspices.
A Permanent Impact
As pioneers behind such innovation all those years ago, Sidney Rosenthal nor Chuck Hodgdon didn’t just invent a pen marketed worldwide but something purpose-driven made out lasting impressions – past memories preserved forever much like photos even if they never quite enjoyed such level popularity until now – whose impact has spurred countless creative advancements amongst various art fields within different industries depending on daily usage.
Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, although there were several people involved in creating the first Sharpie marker at Sanfords Ink company back then, every individual should be proud knowing about their significant contributions given how these practical but powerful tools still help artists and professionals make their mark today! Both have collaborated alongside fellow researchers helping create an instrument capable of enduring time becoming irreplaceable cultural icons renowned for excellence adorning canvases worldwide alike public spaces until now since 1964.