The History of the Sharpie Marker

How did it get to where it is today?

The Sharpie pen is synonymous with “marker pens” in the US, and it’s fast becoming that way in the UK as well. In the same way, Hoover was the oft christened name of most vacuum cleaners, we might be more likely to refer to needing a Sharpie as opposed to a “permanent marker pen”. It has numerous uses (which we’ll look at in another article) and now comes in a variety of tip sizes, colours and types. But how did it get to where it is today…?

*In 1857, Frederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford, Jr. founded Sanford Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company focused on producing and selling ink and glue.

In 1866, the company expanded and relocated to Chicago. In 1899, after narrowly escaping the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Sanford’s original factory succumbed this time to yet another disastrous fire. By 1900 Sanford had rebuilt its headquarters in downtown Chicago.

The company continued to grow throughout the early 1900’s. Quality products and strong distribution helped the company prosper, even through the Great Depression. In 1940 the company changed its name to Sanford Ink Company.

In 1964, Sanford turned its focus to the emerging marker business and introduces the Sharpie marker. The Sharpie Fine Point black marker became the first pen-style permanent marker. It writes on almost any surface from glass, wood and stone, to plastic, metal and, of course, paper.

In 1979, a new style tip was introduced in four colours, the Sharpie Extra Fine Point marker.

In 1989, the Sharpie Ultra Fine Point was introduced. With its slim barrel, metal pocket clip and precise tip that produces clean and accurate lines, the Sharpie Ultra Fine becomes the first marker to truly write like a pen.

During the 1990’s, Sharpie became the choice of writing material for many celebrities signing autographs and as such, their popularity continued to soar.

In 1992 Sanford and therefore, Sharpie was acquired by The Newell Companies (later Newell Rubbermaid), a leading manufacturer and marketer of writing instruments.

Since then, Sharpie have introduced more colours, a variety of tips — ranging from ultra fine points up to large chisel tips, and twin ended pens offering two tips in one pen.

In 2004, Sharpie released a new line of markers that had a button activated retractable tip rather than a cap. Sharpie Paint markers were also introduced.

In 2005, the company’s popular Accent highlighter brand was repositioned under the Sharpie brand name.

A new version of Sharpie called Sharpie Mini was launched, which are markers half the size of a normal Sharpie and feature a clip to attach the Sharpie to a keychain or lanyard. As of 2002, 200 million Sharpies had been sold worldwide.

*Historical information courtesy of the Sharpie official website

This article originally appeared in: http://www.theofficesuppliessupermarket.com/articles/the-history-of-the-sharpie