J Hist Dent. 2025 Spring;73(1):43-49. doi: 10.58929/jhd.2025.073.01.43.
ABSTRACT
In addition to the practical need of drying ink to prevent smudging, another function of paper blotters emerged during the last third of the 19th century: that of advertising. In the same way that Victorian Era Advertising Trade cards were in their heyday, colorful printing promoted every product, service, or business, that one could imagine, including dentistry, using blotters. This continued well into the 20th century. Concurrently, what we know today as “ball point” pens were developed, which after World War II, became the chief writing instrument of modern times. The ink type for ball point pens was perfected by a Hungarian-Argentinian chemist, who also was a dentist.
PMID:40147012 | DOI:10.58929/jhd.2025.073.01.43
