23/10/2023
The *Kaweco* brand originated in 1883, when the "Heidelberger Federhalter Fabrik" ("Heidelberg Dip Pen Factory") was founded by the gentlemen Luce and Enßlen in Heidelberg. Wooden dip pens and fountain pens were produced, while gold nibs manufactured by A. Morton & Co. were imported from New York.
The businessmen Heinrich Koch and Rudolph Weber took over the dip pen factory in 1889 and set up a new production facility in Handschuhsheim, right outside of Heidelberg The products were marked with the brand names Perkeo, Omega, and Kaweco and were stamped with the initials HF, which stands for Heidelberger Federhalterfabrik (Heidelberg dip pen factory).
Shortly after, the brand name Kaweco became the company name under which the products are still distributed today.
In the year 1909, the first Kaweco safety fountain pen was developed and patented under D.R.G.M 224101, and was strongly advertised.[3] Due to high demand, the distribution of Kaweco writing instruments was expanded.
Kaweco opened subsidiaries in Berlin, Paris, Zurich, and Vienna, as well as agencies in many countries all over the world.
A 1911 catalog shows a wide range of fountain pens and filling systems. Here, it was mentioned for the first time that Kaweco is a pocket fountain pen for ladies, officers, and sportsmen. It is the birth year of the Kaweco Sport.
In 1914, Kaweco assumed control over the former parts provider A. Morton & Co., which at the time was the oldest gold nib factory in New York. These assets and equipment were moved to Heidelberg, and the production of Kaweco's own gold nibs began.
In 1921, Kaweco was reorganized as a PLC (public limited company). Kaweco had an approximate annual production of 130,000 fountain pens and employed 600 people. Lever fountain pens were added to the production.
In 1929, fountain pen factory Knust, Woringen & Grube from Wiesloch (Aurumia brand) purchased the Kaweco company name, machines, stock, and patents. Friedrich Grube would lead the company for the next 30 years. In this year, the "KA WE CO" Logo, which is divided into three parts, was developed. This logo is still used today and can be found as a branding on many different products.
During World War II, a lack of raw materials and manpower nearly led to a complete production shutdown. On October 30, 1945, several months after the end of the war, the county commissioner gave permission for Kaweco to resume business.
On May 5, 1960, Friedrich Grube Sr. died at the age of 63. His son Wilhelm takes over the company. Under Wilhelm Grube's leadership, the design of the product range was modernized and made to look slimmer and streamlined.
In 1971, Kaweco launched the Sport set, which included a special jewelry pendant, as a licensed writing instrument of the 20th Olympic Games in Munich. Large companies valued the Kaweco Sport as an advertising medium.
In 1994, cosmetics company Gutberlet GmbH, based in Nuremberg, registered the rights to the Kaweco name and brand. A new Sport series, inspired by the design of 1935, was launched. Pocket writing instruments were introduced to the market as fountain pens, rollerball pens, ball pens, mechanical pencils and clutch pencils.
The company Diplomat became the worldwide exclusive sales partner with Kaweco. However, in 1999, Diplomat was taken over by Herlitz, leading to an end of this partnership. Since then, Kaweco has been increasing its worldwide distribution independently by working closely with domestic partners. Today Kaweco products are available in more than 50 countries.
Please visit to see the exciting range at the exclusive fountain pen show.
*The Pune Fountain Pen Show, Apte Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune*
3rd November to 5th November
