Pocket Protectors

The Pocketector from the Plastic Service Co. of Los Angeles. Only 15 cents.

Pocket protectors used to be a badge of honor primarily for white-collar American male office workers. They were designed to neatly tuck into a breast shirt pocket to protect it from ink stains, and store pens, pencils, and small tools. There are mixed opinions about who exactly invented the first pocket protector, but Boing Boing science writer Steven Leckart reports that the first pocket protector patent was issued in 1903 to Himan C. Dexter. Other pocket aficionados recognize engineer Hurley Smith who developed the "pocket shield" in 1943. He was awarded a patent for his invention in 1947. 

No sooner was the pocket protector developed when enterprising young promoters raced to emblazon company logos on the flap extending outside the pocket. This collection below is but a small glimpse to be seen at Dr. John Pojman's gallery of pocket protectors. At this time, he has over 1200 in his collection. It is where all pocket protectors eventually go to retire.  

It's a Pantone World

Hard to beat this old pantone ink chart from UK artist Martin O'Neills' screenprinting days—unless—he were to get the royal queen colour guide.
But then he would always have to wear white gloves whenever handling.

The "Diamond Jubilee Colour Guide" by Pantone. Produced by Leo Burnett London.
::The Queen's hat tip to Design Boom for her colour guide.

For Good Measure

1916 protractor scale from A. Edgell & Co.

J.Rabone & Sons folding rule from England

Rowney & Co. protractor scale from England

Handmade figured maple & mahogany triangle with dumbell-shaped dovetail joints.

Boxwood perforation gauge, a stamp collecting tool.

This is an actual promotional give-away printed on heavy paper, simulating a brass-fitted folding rule with an 1889 calendar on the flip side.

:: All of these fine wooden drafting tools are from the Sheaff Ephemera Archives

To Put A Finer Point On It

Very nice illustration from Andrea Mineo of ortoritorto over at Pencil Talk, the place to go about all things pencils. Since 2005. While you are at it, you might also want to stop in at Joy of Erasers if you are the error-prone kind. Better than white-out, but not is good as command z. 

H A P P Y   P E N C I L  P A T E N T   D A Y

The Pencil Patent

On today's date, in 1858, Hymen Lipman received a patent for the pencil. Lipmen was granted the patent for attaching a rubber eraser at one end. The patent was later revoked however, when the Supreme Court ruled in 1875 that a pencil with an eraser is not a groundbreaking invention. Evidently the Supremes never made any mistakes. So it goes.

No word on when the pencil box was invented.

:: Various drawing pencil boxes from the Letterology Archives.