Let's all thank Slavoljub Eduard Penkala .

[stewey]

Following on from my thread last night about hot water bottles:
"The hot water bottles of Victorian times were earthenware with cork stoppers either shaped like jugs or flasks. They were used to heat bedding and might have been held in the lap for warmth but they weren't much good for cuddling or to lay on sore muscles. After Charles Goodyear created vulcanized rubber in the 1830's that could withstand heat without melting, the rubberized hot water bottle was not far behind. A Croatian inventor, Slavoljub Eduard Penkala (1871 - 1922) patented the first hot water bottle as well as the first fountain pen, named in his honor." Interesting, wot?

[ChuckFickens]

The fountain pen was patented in 1827, some 54 years before Penkala was born.

[jno]

yeah, but not one that would write with hot water though, Chuck.

[mike11111]

How many people do you see using a fountain pen these days, apart from the Queen? When I was at school, and even in the 70s when I started teaching, they were de rigueur.
Ballpoint pens were strictly forbidden for use in neat exercise books.

[craft1948]

I used to be Inkwell Monitor :-(

[jno]

you must have been advanced, mike. When I was at school, we were always one technology behind. Dip pens when I started out, fountain pens by the 60s or so (when the rest of the world was on to ball-points), ball points in the 70s when everyone else was typing.

[mike11111]

Dip pens for me too, but you were allowed to use your own fountain pen in primary school. I remember my mother telling me that my pen had to be filled from the ink bottle at home and not with school ink which would rot the inner tube. At grammar school you had to provide your own fountain pen. God knows how many I got through, either by losing them or chewing the ends off.

[stewey]

Just skimming this article sort of proves that there is seldomly a definitive answer to the question "When was such and such invented and by whom?"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fountain_pen

[mike11111]

The wheel was invented by Ugg in 3567 BC when he found the square one didn't work. Fact!

[jno]

was that before or after he invented the boot?

[mike11111]

Had to think about that for a moment. Just twigged! I think it was before, because according to the ancient chronicles Mrs Ugg said to Mr Ugg, "I'm not going out on that fancy new wheel of yours without a decent pair of boots!"

[jno]

if Pen kala can invent the pen, Ugg kala can invent the boot

[stewey]

The trunk, or boot, was invented first in anticipation of the soon to be announced 'spare wheel'.

[anneasquith]

well done stewey.................very interesting,you at the pub again tonight ?

[stewey]

Hi, Anne; I just got back about an hour ago...Hic:)

[mike11111]

p.s. Mrs Ugg insisted on proper boots, saying, " I'm not having all the neighbours in the next door caves calling me a chav, so don't think you'll get away with any Primark crap!"