The first version of the Cross brand logo
The Cross Company is the oldest American writing instrument manufacturer. Founded in 1846 by Richard Cross and Edward W. Bradbury in Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island. From the beginning, the brand's goal was to create luxurious writing instruments that would also be suitable for everyday use. 
In 1879, the Cross brand was founded on the stylograph, the ancestor of the modern ballpoint pen. At a time when writers still mostly used quill pens or, more modernly, dip pens, the stylograph was a milestone in the development of writing. Known as the "ink pencil," it quickly won over those who valued its usefulness in creating technical drawings. Cross held a total of eight patents related to the stylograph. The invention of carbon paper solidified its market position – the stylograph was perfect for copying a document or drawing using carbon paper. Its reign ended only with the popularization of the typewriter. Stylographs are still produced today, with the thinnest tip possible being 0.1 mm thick. Interestingly, they were well-received in the cosmetics industry, where they are used for nail art, among other things.
Alongside the stylograph, Alonzo Townsend Cross, son of the brand's founder, created a prototype mechanical pencil with a retractable lead using a twist-lock mechanism. Alonzo patented the twist-lock mechanism in 1885, and mechanical pencils of this type quickly became a trademark of the Cross brand.
A fountain pen, ballpoint pen and mechanical pencil created for the brand's 150th anniversary.
In the 1930s, Cross began producing fountain pens. One of its most successful models was a gold pen with chrome details and a black lacquer finish. It evoked the Art Deco style and was part of a set with a mechanical pencil. Although the company's then-owner, Walter R. Boss, expected the pencil to be the star of the set, the pen proved to be the absolute star. This success was commemorated by the "150th Anniversary Limited Edition" series, released in 1996 to celebrate the brand's 150th anniversary. A limited edition of 10,000 fountain pens, ballpoint pens, and mechanical pencils, replicating the first exclusive model, was produced. Each instrument had a unique serial number.
In 1993, the Art Deco fountain pen "The Townsend" entered the market—named in honor of Richard Cross's eldest son, who inherited the pen from his father. Known as the "American Presidents' Pen," the pen continues to be produced in new, luxurious versions to this day.
The Century
The first Cross pen, known as "The Century," was created in 1946 to celebrate the brand's centennial. It was a 12-karat gold model with a twist-action mechanism instead of a traditional cap. It became an instant hit and remains an icon of Cross products. The "Century" series is still available today in two versions—Century II and Classic Century—and includes fountain pens, among other items.
Cross Classic Century Ballpoint Pen
Interestingly, thirteen years before the iPad from the well-known Apple company first appeared on the market, Cross launched the Cross Pad, created in collaboration with IBM. The premise, which first hit the market in 1997, was simple: the user writes on a piece of A4 paper, and a tablet placed underneath reads and converts handwritten notes into digital text that can be edited and printed. It was intended as an alternative to writing on a laptop, and it could hold up to 50 pages of text or drawings.
Cross Pad
Today, 175 years after the brand's creation, Cross writing instruments are renowned worldwide. Their timeless, classic design, lifetime mechanical warranty, and excellent quality have captivated even the most discerning team, such as Escribo, with their lightness and precision. You can find Cross products in our online store here.
The "21st Century" edition was released on the 170th anniversary of the Cross brand.