Pelikano

Until the 1950's school fountain pens were simply modified adult pens, at best provided with a special nib for learning how to write.

Examples of such nibs were the 'frying-pan nib' (German Pfannenfeder, PF) or the ball pointed nib (German Kugelfeder, KF),
in order to ensure a more comfortable writing experience.

A survey of thousands of educators to assess school fountain pens in the spring of 1959 motivated Pelikan to develop and construct the Pelikano.

This pen fits the needs of children who are learning to write.

The pen must not be too heavy and should be balanced evenly in the hand when it is posted.

The use of ink cartridges allowed the ink to be refilled without mess. In addition to the writing cartridge actually being used,
the fountain pen's barrel offered space for a spare cartridge.

The Pelikano was a huge success for Pelikan.

At times, production could not keep up with demand.

Within the first four years more than 1 million of the first Pelikanos were sold.

With the introduction of the three digit model numbers beginning with 1973's

the Pelikano gets a Model Number: P460 for right-handed and left-handed P461.

At the same time section profile be revised so that the fingers could not slip on the nib.

Children ought to put their index finger onto a corrugated trough.

The clip is replaced by a bar form with embossed logos and lettering Pelikano.

The cap top showed a deeper end without Pelikan logo.

The design of this Pelikano model was also used for a shorthand/steno Pen.

Weight	Total Length	Barrel Length	Cap Length	Diameter	Ink Capacity
0.46 oz	5.20 in	4.65 in	2.42 in	0.43 in	2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)
13.0 g	132 mm	118 mm	61.5 mm	11 mm	2 x 0.8 ml (cartridge)