On the 15th of June, Hornemann purchased some property in the Hainholz area of Hanover. The idea was to start production on a larger scale after previously having to cook and press the ink in a farmyard 30 km away from Hanover.

Guenther Wagner obtained the position of chemist and plant manager. He took over the company in 1871 and registered his family emblem, which showed a Pelican, as the companies logo in 1878. It was one of the first German trademarks ever. In order be able to deliver to Austria, which at the time controlled parts of northern Italy, the Czech republic, Hungary and Croatia, a factory was built in Eger that at a later stage then moved to Vienna.

It was Günther Wagner himself who, based on his family coat of arms, designed the the PELIKAN pictorial trademark for the “Small Honey Paints”.

Honey paints were a type of watercolor, common at the time, in which honey was used as a binder. According to an 1873 price list, small round pans of honey paint were offered in boxes containing 12, 18 or 24 different colors.

The pelican with its four chicks, is one of the oldest trademark registrations in Germany.

It was only by the Trademark Protection Act of 1874 that was in effect throughout the German Empire, that Günther Wagner was able to secure the monopoly right for the earlier developed Pelikan pictorial trademark.

The production halls were enlarged. The company employed an additional 39 people and Fritz Beindorff. It was his job to visit customers in Austria, Russia and Italy.

Fritz Beindorff then married Guenther Wagner's oldest daughter in 1888 and took over the company. Office products for copying, stamping, sticking and erasing were added to the assortment of the time. Due to the vast additions to the assortment, the production halls underwent large expansion.

This year saw the birth of Pelikan's famous ink series 4001. In the previous year the companies 236 strong workforce achieved an amazing turnover of 1 million Gold Marks.

1904 saw the introduction of "Pelikanol" - a white adhesive paste. Up to the 1960's this Product was a revolution in sticking paper.

Due to the great success of the competition, another one was initiated in 1902. Word got around of the positive impact of such competitions, resulting in the initiation of rivalry competitions from a total of nine renowned companies, among which were Bahlsen from Hanover and Continental.

Prestigious artists, such as Max Liebermann, could be persuaded to join the jury, which guaranteed a repeatedly outstanding quality of results.

The company purchased property on the Podbielskistrasse. The area provided 13,000 m² of office and production space. The then modern building, that is now a historically protected monument of the city of Hanover, was built after no further extensions were possible on the previous facilities. The turnover had now reached 2 million Gold Marks.

Pelikan has been supporting the preparation of Art classes for years now. This was documented in the magazine entitled "Der Pelikan" that appeared for the first time in 1912. In this magazine, the opinions and ideas of well-known artists and teachers from Germany and abroad were published in the opening column of each edition. It showcased art lessons, techniques, materials and different art experiences. The magazine was published up to 1971.

Further expansion of the manufacturing plants. The size of the factory doubled. 1057 workers are employed. The sales turnover is 4.4 million Goldmark.

O. H. W. Hadank's design strongly promotes the Pelikan trademark - simplified graphics in a composed framing.

For the first time, and along the lines of the aesthetics of modern advertisement, the stricter composition lays the foundation for a distinctive trademark that will brand itself on the consumer's memory. In contrast, the original focus on Christianity receded.

This was the year in which the Pelikan fountain pen was born. It was well known for its trademark Green shaft, technically innovative ink flow and transparent ink window. The differential piston mechanism was a true revolution of its time.

Pelikan released its first water colour paint box under the description 735 D/12. It was the first time that opaque watercolours became available to school pupils. It replaced the then popular transparent watercolours. The paint box was first Yellow on the outside with a coloured stripe and White on the inside. This was slightly modified in 1950 (see picture). It was Pelikan's water colour paint box that has accompanied most German pupils through their school days.

A cheaper version of the Pelikan fountain pen, now known as "model 100", was released under the product description "Rappen". A mechanical pencil was also released carrying the "AUCH-Pelikan" brand name. In addition, this year saw the first release of PLAKA - the hobby / decoration paint that has remained popular even until now.

The 100 year anniversary catalogue was designed by professor O.H.W. Hadanck, the same man who redesigned the Pelikan logo to the shape that it would remain for the next 60 years. 3700 employees celebrated in Pelikan factories in Hanover, Vienna, Danzig, Milan, Barcelona, Bucharest, Sofia, Warsaw, Budapest, Zagreb, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile as in many of the delivery facilities abroad. The Pelikan fountain pen model 100N was released.

The post war trauma came to an end. The big German industrial boom started. At this time Pelikan released the fountain pen model 400. It is easily recognised due to its Black and Green striped shaft. This model was to become the most popular fountain pen in its price range.

The Pelikan school fountain pen "Pelikano" is launched. It is the product of close cooperation between educators and fountain pen designers. The advantages of ink cartridges and the ergonomic design are so profound that, within months, it develops to a market-dominating school fountain pen and is recommended by teachers up to the present day.

The image shows the refurbished model of 1965. The shape of the first Pelikano resembled the model P11/P25 where the nib is entirely covered.

Find out more about the history of the Pelikano fountain pen at The history of the Pelikano® - From 1960 until now

Pelikan produced its first ink eradicator under the name "Tintentiger".

It was praised because it was an easy and clean method of erasing Royal Blue ink. In 1974 the name was changed to "Pelikan Tintenblitz" and in 1976 it became "Super-Pirat". It is the most sold ink eradicator in Germany.

It reached the stage where the Podbielskistasse facilities in Hanover could no longer be expanded. The writing instrument production was moved to Peine/Voehrum which is approx. 30 km to the east of Hanover. Up until today, Pelikan pens, painting and office Products are still produced there.

Pelikan developed the simplified Handwriting for beginners in collaboration with educators from this field of expertise. It was here where the company first displayed its educational competence regarding Handwriting. Due to this, the role of the Pelikano fountain pen became even more vital.

The companies legal form is changed from a GmbH into a AG (= with shares). The shares were divided within the Beindorff family and 46 other owners. The company's balance sheet added up to DM 607.8 million. The company's assortment was extended adding a wide range of Hobby and Game Products. There were also subsidiary companies producing office printers, projectors, data carriers, technical drawing aids and cosmetic products.

The excessive expansion of the assortment and a take over of the Photocopier Company Lumoprint in Hamburg finally resulted in composition proceedings. A reverse split of the shares in a ratio of 10:1 took place and Pelikan was taken over by Condor-part (Switzerland) in 1984. The company based mainly in Hanover was separated into various sub companies and parts were sold. Operations were from then on-wards run by Pelikan Holding AG/ Switzerland which started trading on the stock exchange in 1986.

In Autumn 1993 Pelikan's first Limited Edition (based on the 800 series) is released under the name "Blue Ocean". It was made in a Blue transparent colouring. A total of 5000 fountain pens were produced - 1000 were sold in a set with and additional ballpoint pen.

GOODACE SDN BHD, a company owned by Hooi Keat Loo from Malaysia, took over the majority of Pelikan Holding shares.

Two years later the XVI Commonwealth games took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. To mark the occasion, the Pelikan Limited Edition Kuala Lumpur was released.

On the 17.3. the company moved to its new office building on the Werftstrasse in Hanover.

At around the same time, 125 years after its initial registration - the design of the Pelikan Logo has been altered and modified.

On 1st October the company Geha-Werke GmbH, Garbsen, dealing in modern presentation technology and office shredders, merged with the Pelikan Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG, Hannover. Geha enjoys the status of an independent division, operating worldwide with its own marketing department, sales force and repair service.

Pelikan on a new course with an expanded fleet with Pelikan PELIFIX® and Pelikan blanco®.

Pelikan has always been a force for innovation and a highly competent pioneer in the gluing and correcting sector. With the brands Pelikan PELIFIX® for gluing and Pelikan blanco® for correcting, the products are available on the German, Austrian and Swiss market again.

Since 1st January 2011 Pelikan took over the production and sale of the fine writing instruments from the Porsche Design luxury brand. In the framework of the cooperation, Porsche Design's premium writing instruments will be produced in Pelikan's Vöhrum factory.

The unique thing about the new Classic 205 DUO piston fountain-pen is the idea of equipping a fountain-pen with the additional function of a text marker. This innovation won many national and international awards such as the red dot award.

When it comes to manufacturing ink, virtually no company has a longer history than Pelikan. With the Edelstein Ink Collection, Pelikan brings sparkling new life to the world of inks. A special ingredient ensures extra smooth writing and care for the fountain pen, delivered in a high-value glass flacon.

Pelikan, a company with long-standing tradition, has been writing history for 175 years. On April 28th, 1838, the chemist Carl Hornemann paved the way for the success story of this traditional company based in Hanover, Germany. 2013 is its year of anniversary.

The Jubilee Pen M101N Lizard is a special highlight of this occasion. The new edition of the historical model M101 as a limited edition reaches back to the year 1937. The JUBILEE FOUNTAIN PEN is based on the original design of the 101N Lizard of the year 1937. It was made in Vöhrum with a passion for detail and experience passed on over many decades.

With effect from March 1, 2014, Pelikan Holding AG has taken over the German and Austrian distribution company Herlitz PBS AG. The business will be run by the sales company Pelikan Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG. The company therewith counts among Europe's leading brand suppliers of quality products in the area of paper, office and writing supplies (PBS). Sole chief executive of the Pelikan sales company, which is based in Hanover, Germany, is Torsten Jahn. An additional branch office is located in Falkensee, Germany.The company now owns the brands Pelikan, Herlitz, Susy Card and Geha.

The renowned French magazine "LeStylographe" awards the Sourverän® fountain pen M600 Pink by Pelikan the highly coveted award "Trophée du stylo Féminin 2016". The prize is awarded to the most beautiful, feminine fountain pen.

On March 29, 2017, for the first time, Pelikan opens the Pelikan Tinten Turm (ink tower), in the historical Pelikan district of Hanover, to the public. In newly designed rooms of the former head office, innovative products, interesting classics, rare jewels and great shows await Pelikan customers and enthusiasts alike. Under the three categories shop/museum/events, exciting insight is given into the world of Pelikan, on over 657 m².

The fountain pen and ballpoint pen stola III have been awarded the German Design Award 2017 in the category ”Excellent Product Design“. The German Design Award is one of the most recognized design contests in the world.

Our opaque paintbox space+ that we developed for Pelikan in cooperation with yellow design, has been awarded the iF DESIGN AWARD 2017. The award ”Industrie Forum Design“ is an award for efforts in the area of design. The prize is awarded every year since 1954, for efforts in product design.

To us, the year 2018 is a special year - On April 28th, Pelikan turned 180 years old, and the time that Pelikan looks back at has not only been a very long, but also very eventful. It all began with the founding of a paint and ink factory in Hanover by the chemist Carl Hornemann. With the publication of the first price list on April 28, 1838, business activity started - and with it, the history of a successful trademark that is meanwhile known all around the world.