I wonder if anyone figured out the backstory behind rOtring choosing the name “Tikky” for this pencil.
The original rOtring pen was called “Tintenkuli,” the first mass produced stylograph. And that name quite literally means “ink pen” in German. When it became very popular, rOtring affectionately shortened the name to “Tiku.” In fact, in the realm of vintage stylographs, you will find some rOtrings named just “TIKU” instead of “TINTENKULI.” I’ve no idea if they adopted that shortened name in response to its use created by an adoring public, or if they coined it themselves.
During the prime era of the Tintenkuli, rOtring released a mechanical pencil based on the same design motif. They called it a “bleikuli.” CORRECTION: removed stupid mistake
“bleikuli” means lead pen, which fits into the whole naming convention established by rOtring. In addition there was also a “rollkuli,” which was a primitive kind of rollerball using liquid ink.
My guess is that they chose “Tikky” because it’s a catchy sounding name, a “lighter” version of their main products. It was also a more generalized name, because they released both pencils and ballpoints with the name “Tikky.”