Despite various European claims, the earliest historical record of a fountain or reservoir pen (i.e. a writing instrument that holds its own ink supply rather than requiring dipping) dates back to the 10th century. In 953, Ma’ād al-Mu’izz, the caliph of Egypt, demanded a pen which would not stain his hands or clothes, and was provided with a pen which held ink in a reservoir and delivered it to the nib, and could be held upside-down without leaking. Such a pen was then made for him.
