Between the 6th and 19th Century writing literally took off – the quill pen was born. Although any large bird feathers would do, the 5 flight feathers of the goose were the favoured ones for their strength and lightness.
Feathers from the left wing fit the right hand best and vice versa.
Eureka moment! Capillary action was born…liquid surface tension, allowing the quill to hold more ink. Each feather is soaked in warm water then hardened in hot sand, before being shaped to a chisel point with a split through the tip.
