In 1863's Günther Wagner, a chemist, became partner in a business founded by Carl Hornemann.
In 1878's Wagner added the name "Pelikan" from one of the elements in
his family crest: a pelican feeding four chicks in its nest.
The Pelikan factory produced ink, paints, glue, type writer ribbons, stencils, stamp pads and carbon paper.
In 1929's the first fountain pen was launched: the "Pelikan 100", a
piston filler designed by the engineers Theodor Kovacs and Carola Bako.
In the 1930's the 100 series were remodelled and the letter N (for "new") was added.
During
WWII gold was hard to obtain and nibs of chromium/nickel-plated steel
were produced, so-called CN nibs. In the 1950's the clip got redesigned
in the shape of a pelican beak.
After
Wagner’s retirement his son-in-law and successor Fritz Beindorff led
the company to become one of the world’s leading makers of fountain
pens.
In the 1970's Pelikan Schoolpens, together with those of Geha were the most popular pens in Germany.