Not a topic I’ve done tons of research on but I wanted to make a thread on this pencil type.
Stackable pencils, also magazine pencils
There are two types:
a) Whole pencil unite, snapped on top of each other.
b) The bare lead queued up. It is pushed out by a clutch-push-mechanism (see gif above).
The earlierst [a] is to my knowledge an assumingly English invention around 1920.
One version from German maker name (Sarastro) exists, possibly imported.
Each unit has its own twist propelling mechanism. The pencil body is a simple hexagonal tube, and you apply LOTS of force to squeeze out the next unit, so you will find ones that have bent tips.
While I’m not aware of any English name for it; In Japanese it does have the name ロケット鉛筆 (Rocket Pen). Here’s an humorous advertisement: “You can even build a rocket!”
I guess, pushing on the spring-actuated button pushes the clutch far enough forward such that a new lead falls below the pencil’s opening; And the clutch opens for a loose grip on the current lead. When the button is let go, the clutch retracts, the new lead blocks the old’s way back in and thus the latter is pushed out of the claws.
The patents are US0480188 and US0584999. The former from 1892.
More images and instructions here.
The most remarkable one I have seen is a handmade ‘prototype’ by TechPenCraft, a Japanese enthusiast who’s designing and making all manner of ‘romantic’ pens, i.e. impractical but mechanically fascinating. Here’s his ‘Martini Henry’ inspired pencil… Check out his YT channel for more
I’m not sure it really fits into either category, but I always liked the simple legibility of the “Interlock” pencil:
It’s just a shame they were made out of very volatile celluloid, which tends to shrink and eventually crumble away. I dare not use mine for this reason!
I bought 3-4 of these around 15 year ago. I still have em. Thought the design was pretty cool. Also had some of them transparent barrel ones with cartoon prints… gave them away long time back.
THE Perpetual Pencil…I have a few and they were very often used as advertisers. Unlikely even Legendary Lead Co. will have those cute little points that do load through the tail. The barrel is enamel over brass and at their age the coating is often chipping away…They are bit over 5" long.
The most remarkable one I have seen is a handmade ‘prototype’ by TechPenCraft
Thanks for sharing, @drifand , I know of him, and was disappointed to learn that he doesn’t sell any of them! (at least not to me).
I’m not sure it really fits into either category, but I always liked the simple legibility of the “Interlock” pencil:
@Alan That’s an entirely new thing, fascinating! Great article and “interlocking” is a better descriptor for it than I could come up with. I also really like your article’s conclusion on the use of plastics in modern times.
I bought 3-4 of these around 15 year ago. I still have em.
It seems to have stayed the same since when it was made in the 1990s (US4896981).
There’s the use of a bent spring leg to act like a torsion spring to help push the old lead out.
Unlikely even Legendary Lead Co. will have those cute little points
@lsd300 You’re lucky to have this many! Do you know if Jonathan Veiley (Legendary Lead Company) has written about the Perpetual Pencil? He mentions it in Volume 1 page 41, but other than that I saw no coverage.
Also another honorable mention:
US0481100 (1892) stores the lead in reversed order. The pencil tip works as a tool to pick up the next lead by removing, reversing it; Then, the button on the rear-side is pressed down, opening the clutch, which enables the tip to pick up the next lead.
