The Parker T-1, Part II

By 1971, it was clear that the "space age" Parker T-1 titanium-bodied fountain pen was a manufacturing nightmare. Typical Parker ingenuity saved the day

- TIM LAROS

By early 1971, it was apparent that the Parker T-1 fountain pen could not be manufactured consistently, on time, or profitably, hence one solution to the T-1 problem was to stop production of the T-1 as a fountain pen and change it to a different type of writing instrument such that some of the sunk costs could be recovered and already manufactured parts could be utilized. Another solution was to change materials of construction for the fountain pen to stainless steel and press on.

Parker's Technical Division developed a simple solution with the creation of a modified front end that would accept a SOFT TIP refill. A prototype front end produced in January 1971 is shown here.

The Parker SOFT TIP T-1 pen used the new SOFT TIP, a nylon tip refill used in the Parker 75, Insignia, and Big Red pens.

Later versions of the Titanium SOFT TIP pen used a plastic front end, which required a different inner cap. These front ends were designated O/S ("Old Style") for the titanium part and N/S ("New Style") for the plastic part in various Parker repair parts catalogs.

The SOFT TIP T-1 and Titanium pens no longer had the distinctive red cap jewels, but used cap jewels similar to those used on Parker 75 pens. The instructions for the T-1 SOFT TIP pen were also rewritten in 1971, without a reference to the T-1 fountain pen.

December 1971 Parker holiday magazine ads did not show the T-1 in either form. Its place in the ad was taken over by a 75 Classic ballpoint pen.