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Parker Vector is the name of a family of pens manufactured by Parker pens. These are a frequently used by promotional firms as logo gift items.

Parker vector Plastic Barrel

The Parker Vector is the brand name of a range of pens produced by the parker pen company. They are one of the most successful pens produced by parker and are often printed and used as advertising pens

The original Parker Vector design was first seen around 1981 and called “Parker RB1″. Then in 1984 Parker added a Fountain Pen 1 to the range.

In 1986 Parker changed the design slightly by lengthening the cap and shortening the barrel and this was renamed the “Vector Standard”. Over the years this has been abbreviated to Parker Vector.

There are four main different types available in a choice of eihter plastic or steel. These are the roller ball, fountain pen, capped roller ball, ballpoint, and pencil. The ballpoint and pencil parker vector have push button operation.

The Parker Vector design is very simple and this leads in part to it success, it is a straight tube with a traditional parker arrow clip. The cap is styled to complement the elegant design and has a snug fit onto the end of the barrel when closed.

Parker Vector pens can be packaged onto card, some versions are sold in promotional box packaging. There are also many special edditions including calligraphy sets. Replacement cartridges are readily available for stationery suppliers.

The Parker Pen Company was founded George S Parker in 1889, he had previously been a salesman for the John Holland Gold Pen Company.

In 1894 Parker received a patent on his so called “Lucky Curve” feed, which was reputed to draw excess ink back into the pen whilst the pen was not in use. The Lucky Curve patent feed was used in various pen up until until 1928.

Between 1920s to the 1960s Parker Pens was either the number 1 or 2 pen seller.

After this point the development of the ballpoint pen by companies such as BIC

Around 1931 Parker created a quick drying ink trade name Quink which removed the need for blotting and lead to the development of the Parker 51 pen the most widely sold fountain pen in history with an estimated sales of $400 million worth in its 30 year history

Production facilities were set up all over the world including in France Denmark and Canada, United Kingdom abd Denmark

Parker pens where often used to sign important history documents most famously the the World War II armistices.

After a management buyout in 1987 parker pens moved at headquarters to Newhaven, East Sussex, England previously the Valentine Pen Company previously bought by Parker.

In 1993 Parker was acquired by the Gillette Company and combined with other brands such as papermate. Gillette then sold the pens division in 2000 to Newell Rubbermaid.

The Major Pens that Parker has produced to date

1899 – Jointless
1909 – Jack Knife Safety
1921 – Duofold
1932 – Vacumatic
1941 – the model “51″
1954 – Jotter
1956 – the model “61″
1964 – the model “45″ and “75
1967 – Classic (1967)
1973 – the model “25
1982 – Arrow
1986 – Vector
1987 – Duofold International
1988 – the model “95″
1993 – Sonnet
2004 – the Parker 100