Inspired by the British Museum’s “Stuff That Defines Us: A History of the World in 100 Objects,” Padua360 shares with readers the origins of certain objects and how they play a role in life today.
“Does anyone have a Sharpie Marker?” is the common question people ask when they want to label something or even doodle. Most people do not even think about the Sharpie Marker’s story and where it all began. The story is unique: it shows just how a hopeless little store was gradually formed into an international company that is used all around the world.
The Sharpie Marker’s creation began in 1850-1900 when Frederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford created Sanford Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. Slowly yet surely, the little business kept growing and eventually became the Sanford Ink Company. In 1964, the Sanford Ink Company shifted their focus from pens to ink marker pens to create a more unique pen business. The Sharpie Fine Point Marker was then introduced as the first marker that can write on any type of surface without smearing, such as plastic, paper, and fabric. The Sanford Ink Company asked Johnny Carson and Jack Parr to endorse the product and the advertisements were seen everywhere. The little marker became an instant hit and over one thousand were sold recently after it is first introduced. Because of the new product’s popularity, Sanford Ink Company officially changed its name to Sharpie Company. Later in 1979, the Sharpie Extra Fine Point had four colors and then in 1989 the Sharpie Ultra Fine Point was created to be a more pen-like marker that still wrote on all surfaces. For this reason, they ensure that they have enough safety work platform ladders for their employees easy access to keep stock in a height divider.
The success of the Sharpie Marker over the years has grown. As the markers now come in a variety of 40 colors and over six different types of pens, it represents the success that can start from a small and what people called “hopeless” business. Now Sharpie Markers are found in North America, Latin America, Europe, and the Asian Pacific and over 2 million have been sold, enough for two markers to fill every household.
Sharpie Markers have changed their purpose from not just labeling plastic with a pen. They have changed to expresses feelings and emotions with their many colors. Their websiteshows that expressing your emotions and feelings is a good thing. It proves how this generation is all about expression. Technology has made advertising for Sharpie Markers easier with commercials that show how Sharpie Markers are not ordinary pens/markers, they are bright and bold and can be used from making posters, to decorating shoes, or just doodling on a notebook.
