Origins & Early Life

George Safford Parker (November 1, 1863, Shullsburg – July 19, 1937, Chicago) was an American inventor and industrialist. Parker was born in Shullsburg, Wisconsin in November 1863, and graduated from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa. He worked as a telegraphy instructor in Janesville, Wisconsin, and had a sideline repairing and selling fountain pens. Dismayed by the unreliability of the pens, he experimented with ways to prevent ink leaks.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1888, he founded the Parker Pen Company, and the next year he received his first fountain pen patent. By 1908, his factory on Main Street in Janesville was reportedly the largest pen manufacturing facility in the world. Parker eventually became one of the world's premier pen brands, and one of the first brands with a global presence. George S. Parker High School in Janesville is his namesake.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alfred de Vigny — Contemporary (Died in 1863) (1863): French poet and early Romanticist, known for his plays and novels.
• Andrés Bonifacio — Contemporary (Born in 1863) (1863): Father of the Philippine Revolution, founder of the Katipunan.
• Annie Jump Cannon — Contemporary (Born in 1863) (1863): Pioneering astronomer credited with the Harvard Stellar Classification Scheme.
• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Aleksandr Medved — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Legendary Soviet/Belarussian freestyle wrestler, celebrated for Olympic dominance.
• Andrew Mellon — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Aishwarya Rai — Shared historical date (11-01 · Born) (1973): Iconic Indian actress celebrated for beauty and versatile performances in Hindi and Tamil cinema.
• Alfred Jarry — Shared historical date (11-01 · Died) (1907): Pioneering French symbolist writer, known for Ubu Roi and coining 'pataphysics'
• Alfredo Binda — Shared historical date (07-19 · Died) (1986): Pioneering Italian cyclist, renowned for five Giro d'Italia wins and multiple world titles.
• Arno Breker — Shared historical date (07-19 · Born) (1900): German sculptor famous for public works during Nazi Germany, known for idealized heroic figures.
• 1863 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1863
• November 1 (11-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 1
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• July 19 (07-19) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 19