Cool Shit Black People Invented: William B. Purvis

Back in the day people used to write using a feather and ink like a bunch of weirdos or sucking ink into a pen with a jar sitting there next to them which is just ridiculous when you think about it. That is until William B. Purvis decided that he was tired of watching people look like fools and created an ink pen that could hold ink itself thereby keeping you from walking around with a jar of ink looking for a table to put it on and dip your stupid pen into.

"I do believe I've soiled my dickie!"

In 1890 Purvis got the patent for this and pretty much made the bottle of ink carrying stuff silly to continue doing. Old fashioned nerds all over the world were probably super happy about this. See, kids. Years ago people use to use their hands, those things you use to text with, to put an ink pen to paper and send letters to each other. This was made easier when you could carry a pen with you by itself.

“The object of my invention is to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive construction of a fountain pen adapted to general use and which may be carried in the pocket” Purvis said of the invention. This pen isn't all he invented. He created a bag fastener, an electric railway switch, a magnetic car balancing device, and hand stamp. You know what I created in my whole life? CO2's.

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