Wahl-Eversharp Skyline Pen Collection
Wahl-Eversharp pens of today trace their proud history from the coming together of the Wahl Adding Machine Company and the Eversharp Pencil Company in late 1914. Wahl owned a large metal working facility in Chicago, Illinois and Eversharp was in desperate need of a mass production manufacturer for its metal mechanical pencils. The two operations merged and resulted in the manufacture and sale of millions of Eversharp mechanical pencils.
In 1917-18 the Wahl Company entered into the fountain pen business with the acquisition of the Boston Fountain Pen Company. Until 1928 Wahl pens and Eversharp pencils were sold side by side, but as separate brands in fine stationary stores around the world. Then, in 1934 the Wahl Company was absorbed by a reverse merger with their Eversharp subsidiary and subsequently the branding changed to simply “Eversharp”.
From 1925 through 1948, Eversharp, Wahl and Wahl-Eversharp pens and pencils turned the company into one of the four largest selling and best known pen brands in the world; outselling every other pen manufacturer in the year 1946. The company fell on more difficult times during the “Ballpoint Wars”, where they lost millions trying to produce and repair their ballpoint pens, all while trying to fight off competitors and interlopers threatening to beat them to market with improved products. Afterwards the company limped along making some remarkable and moderately priced pens, such as the Symphony, but would never recover fully.
In 1956 the company was acquired by Parker Pen Company who relegated the Eversharp brand to being their inexpensive line so as to not tarnish the Parker name with cheaper pens. Today the rebirth of Wahl-Eversharp works to live up to the original promise of the brand and move forward into new heights.
From the earliest days of manufacturing, engineering and design have been the key to making objects of enduring quality and beauty. Designers such as Henry Dreyfus and Raymond Lowy became aware that everyday objects could be both functional and aesthetically pleasing. In 1940, Eversharp contracted with Mr. Dreyfus to design the Skyline pen. Upon its introduction to the marketplace, it was considered one of the most revolutionary and aesthetically pleasing pens ever produced.
Technically, it was extremely well designed. It resisted leaking at high altitudes, which earned it the honor of being chosen for issue to U.S. Navy flyers during WWII. Commercially, Eversharp took a huge risk with the pre-production cost of the Skyline, running in excess of a quarter million dollars. From its launch in 1940, it became one of the most successful and longest running production pens in writing history.
Like all truly great designs the Skyline is universally recognized today as a collector’s item. Its design and quality were destined to become an enduring mid-century modern icon able to withstand the test of time. With the benefit of hindsight it became clear to them that if they made a modern Skyline pen manufactured faithfully to the original design, and used the best of modern materials and advanced filling systems, they could make these pens available to pen lovers like you. And so, the Skyline became the first pen produced by the new Wahl-Eversharp Company.
Currently the Skyline is available in seven finishes. Choose from: black with gold trim, black with chrome trim, blue with gold trim, blue with chrome trim, red with gold trim, red with chrome trim, and a stealthy Aviator Black. All of these are available in both fountain pen and ballpoint options. As for nib sizes, you can either have it in fine or medium point. Fill your fountain pen easily with an international size cartridge and/or converter filling system. The ballpoint uses our favorite Monteverde Parker Style ballpoint or gel refills.
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