World Stationery Day – April 24, 2024

History of World Stationery Day

The word ‘stationery’ is derived from the Medieval Latin word ‘stationarius’, meaning ‘unmoved’ or ‘permanent.’ According to Wikipedia, stationery refers to “commercially manufactured writing materials, including cut paper, envelopes, writing implements, continuous form paper, and other office supplies.” Stationery could also mean special paper used for writing letters. According to several historians, paper was invented by a Chinese eunuch named Tsai Lun around the year 121 A.D. He apparently did this by mixing the inner bark of a mulberry tree with bamboo fibers. Prior to that, ancient records were written on either bamboo, which was quite heavy, or silk, which was costly. Also, ancient Egyptians would fashion papyrus plants into solid, dried sheets.

Pens can also be traced back to ancient times. In 1300 B.C., metal styluses were used to write on wax tablets by the Romans. These iron instruments were shaped like pencils, sharpened to a point at one end, while being flat and circular at the other end. During the same period, Asian scribes made use of bronze styluses. Years later, Egyptians used thick bamboo/calamus reeds. The famed quill pen didn’t make an appearance until the sixth century in Seville, Spain. Made with either swan feathers or goose feathers, the quill pen lasted for centuries and came into use all over the world. The 19th century saw the invention of ballpoint pens, which immediately phased out quill pens.

In the 21st century, pen and paper are becoming less popular due to the advancement of technology. Online learning, with the use of mobile devices, has recently revolutionized the educational system. Texting and email communication have phased out the old art of letter writing. Even personal notes are now shared via mobile applications. Yet in all this, old-fashioned stationery has not completely died out as it still proves useful in the world.