A marker pen is a special kind of pen with its own ink supply inside. You might know marker pens by other names, such as felt-tip pens, fine liners, or just markers.
Anatomy of a Marker Pen
A marker pen has a few main parts. There's an outer container, often made of plastic. Inside, there's a spongy material that holds the ink, called the reservoir. The reservoir, which holds the ink, is formed from polyester. The "felt" tip, which is what you draw with, is often made from strong, pressed synthetic fibers.
The ink itself is a mix of things. It has a dye that gives it color, and solvents, which help the dye flow smoothly. The ink can also have a little bit of water, up to 10%.
Diagram of a permanent marker pen.
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A Colorful History of Markers
Have you ever wondered who invented the marker pen? Lee Newman got a patent for a felt-tipped marking pen in 1910. In 1926, Benjamin Paskach patented a "fountain paintbrush", which consisted of a sponge-tipped handle containing various paint colors. Markers became more popular in 1953 with the "Magic Marker." This marker had a glass tube filled with ink and a felt wick. By 1958, people were using felt-tipped markers for many things. The modern fiber-tipped pen came out in 1962. It was developed by Yukio Horie from the Tokyo Stationery Company. In 1987, Copic Sketch markers were released.
Copic Sketch Markers.
Ink Composition: Then and Now
Long ago, some marker inks used strong-smelling chemicals like toluene and xylene. Today, most marker inks are made with alcohols. This makes them much safer and less smelly.
Toluol and xylol were used as solvents for the dye and are still used for the indelible ink in permanent markers. Due to their toxicity, they have often been replaced with less critical substances such as alkyl or cyclic alkylene carbonates (like propylene carbonate) in other types of markers.
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Types of Markers and Their Uses
Markers come in various types, each designed for specific purposes:
- Permanent Markers: These are great for writing on almost any surface like glass, plastic, wood, metal, and even stone. On most surfaces, the ink is generally resistant to rubbing and water, and can last for many years. However, on some smooth plastics, the marks might not be truly permanent.
- Highlighters: Highlighters are a special type of marker used to make important text stand out. They use bright, see-through, neon colors, letting you highlight words without covering them up.
- Whiteboard Markers: A whiteboard marker, also called a dry-erase marker, uses ink that you can easily wipe off. These markers are made for smooth, non-porous surfaces. You can erase the marks with a dry cloth, tissue, or even your hand. There are also wet-erase markers, which are similar but need a damp cloth to wipe them clean.
- Security Markers: Security markers have a special ink that you can't see with your eyes. This ink is fluorescent. People use these markers to mark their valuable items. If a marked item is stolen and then found, police can use ultraviolet light to see the hidden writing.
- Election Markers: Election markers are used in some countries during elections. They have a special, long-lasting ink. This ink is used to mark a voter's finger, especially near the nail. The mark stays visible for a week or two, helping prevent people from voting more than once.
- Porous Point Pens: A porous point pen has a tip made from a porous material, such as felt or ceramic. Pens used for technical drawing often have ceramic tips.
Different types of marker tips.
Global Names for Markers
The names for "marker" or "felt-tipped pen" can be very different depending on where you are.
- In parts of India, water-based felt-tip pens are called "sketch pens." They are mostly used for drawing on paper.
- In the Philippines, a marker is often called a "Pentel pen," no matter what brand it is.
- In Australia, "marker" usually means a large-tip marker. "Felt-tip" or "felt pen" usually means a fine-tip marker. Markers in Australia are often called "texta," which is a brand name.
"Koki" in South Africa
In South Africa, people often use the word "Koki" for both felt pens and markers. In the United States, people use "marker" or "magic marker." "Magic marker" is a brand name that became a common word. "Sharpie" is another brand name that is now often used to mean any permanent marker.
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Example of Koki markers.
South African English: More Than Just "Koki"
South African English has unique influences, including Afrikaans, a South African language that grew out of a variety of Dutch spoken in the 1500s. Here and there are words imported by people from British, Portuguese and Dutch colonies: India, Mozambique, Malaysia and Indonesia. English is the language of public life: government, business and the media.
Here are some examples of unique words found in South African English:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Aardvark | African burrowing mammal. |
| Bakkie | Utility truck, pick-up truck. |
| Braai | Meat cooked outside; equivalent of barbeque. |
| Biltong | Dried and salted meat, similar to beef jerky. |
| Howzit | Common South African greeting that translates roughly as “How are you?”, “How are things?” or just “Hello”. |
| Lekker | Nice, good, great, cool or tasty. |
| Kombi | Minibus taxi. |
So, next time you reach for a "Koki" in South Africa, remember the rich history and diverse world of marker pens!
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