When Lewis Edson Waterman, a 45 year old insurance broker, was getting ready to sign an important contract, thinking it would be more practical and stylish than the dip pen and pocket inkwell which he usually carried, he bought a new Louis Edson Watermanfountain pen just for the occasion. However, when the time came to sign, the fountain pen refused to write.

After the third attempt, Waterman rushed back to his office for another copy, but when he returned, the customer had signed another contract with a rival broker who had beaten him to it.

Disgusted with the behavior of his pen, Lewis Waterman determined to devise a “real” fountain pen—one that he could depend upon at all times.