zeit.de
Hannover Exhibition Showcases Pelikan's Impact on Writing History
A new exhibition in Hannover, Germany, at Pelikan's historic Tintenturm, explores the history of writing from quill pens to fountain pens, highlighting Pelikan's 1960 invention of the Pelikano, the first school fountain pen with ink cartridges, and the continued importance of handwriting in education.
- What is the significance of Pelikan's Pelikano fountain pen and its impact on education and writing culture?
- A new exhibition in Hannover, Germany, explores the history of writing, focusing on the evolution of fountain pens. Pelikan, a company founded in 1838, launched the Pelikano, the first school fountain pen with ink cartridges, in 1960. This innovation eliminated the need for messy inkwells in classrooms.
- How does the exhibition connect the history of Pelikan with broader trends in education and technology, particularly regarding handwriting and digital devices?
- The exhibition highlights the sensory experience of handwriting and its cognitive benefits for children's brain development. The return to handwriting is even observed in Scandinavian countries, reversing a trend towards iPads. Pelikan, now part of the Hamelin Group, continues to target the yearly influx of 750,000-800,000 children entering school in Germany.
- What are the future implications for Pelikan given the declining use of fountain pens, and how might the company adapt to changing trends while preserving its legacy?
- Despite a general decline in fountain pen usage, Pelikan's focus on the school market ensures continued relevance. The exhibition, housed in Pelikan's historic Tintenturm (Ink Tower), showcases the company's industrial heritage and its contribution to writing culture. The Pelikan district itself serves as a testament to Germany's industrial past.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is overwhelmingly positive towards Pelikan and the return to handwriting. The headline and introduction emphasize nostalgia and the sensory experience of writing, setting a tone that predisposes the reader to a favorable view of the topic and the company. The inclusion of the archivist's opinion about the cognitive benefits of handwriting further reinforces this positive framing.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral, but phrases like "Schreiben mit der Hand ist etwas sehr Sinnliches" (Writing by hand is something very sensual) might be considered slightly loaded, suggesting a subjective preference rather than a purely objective description. The overall tone is positive and celebratory.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Pelikan's history and the return to handwriting, potentially omitting other perspectives on the educational value of handwriting versus typing or the market share of other pen manufacturers. There is no mention of the environmental impact of continued pen production and usage, or the perspectives of those who find handwriting difficult or impractical.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy by suggesting a simple return to handwriting from iPads in Scandinavian countries, without acknowledging the complexities of pedagogical approaches or the potential benefits of digital tools in education. The implication is that handwriting is inherently superior.
Gender Bias
The article doesn't exhibit overt gender bias. However, the lack of specific examples of women using or benefiting from pens could be considered a subtle omission, potentially reinforcing implicit gender norms related to traditional roles in education and the workplace.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the return to handwriting in Scandinavian countries due to its benefits for brain development in children. The exhibition on writing and the continued production of Pelikan pens for schoolchildren directly support quality education by emphasizing the importance of handwriting skills for learning and cognitive development. The fact that Pelikan, a company with a long history in writing instruments, continues to produce school-focused writing tools further reinforces this positive impact.