Quill Feather

One cut quill feather pen.

From the 6th to the 19th century, quill pens were the principal writing instrument.  The better quills for pen construction came from the wings of large birds such as Turkey, Goose or Swan.  Metal pens were first patented in America in 1810 and by 1860 were being mass produced.

Many calligraphers still consider a quill pen the best writing instrument because of the quill's ability to produce a fine line with none of the harsh qualities of a steel nib.  The U.S Supreme Court still uses 1200 quills a year, upholding a tradition begun in 1801.