The PenAgain is an ergonomic writing device developed by Pacific Writing Instruments, Inc. It was designed to alleviate stress and reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury while writing.
Writing with the PenAgain differs from writing with a traditional cylindrical pen. The writer's index finger sits in the Y-shaped device, so that the weight of the writer's hand directs pressure to the pen’s tip. This eliminates the need to grip the pen and push the tip into the paper. The index finger guides the tip of the pen.
History
The bifurcated shape for a writing device was first proposed and patented by John WyttenBach in 1886.WyttenBach, John Bifurcated Pen-Holder Patent Number 336540, Feb, 16, 1886. Several other iterations arose including The Pen and Brush Holder of Dwight B. Smith and the Penholder by George Cooper Ward.Smith, Dwight B Pen and Brush Holder Patent Number 340382, Apr, 20, 1886; Ward, George Cooper Penholder Patent Number 657370, Sep. 4, 1900 Colin Roche designed the PenAgain while serving detention in high school.Perkins, Broderick Life Enhancement Made Possible by Non-Chip Technology San Jose Business J. Jan, 2, 2004 The PenAgain went through several design iterations and on October 28, 2003, was granted a patent from the USPTO.Roche, Colin, Ronse, Bobby Ergonomic Writing Instrument Patent Number 6637962, Oct, 28, 2003
References
External links PenAgain — Official Website PenAgain— Official UK Website Ergonomic Review of the Ergo Sof PenAgain - Chris Adam, About.com, 2006 Bounds, Gwendolyn: The Long Road to Wal-Mart Shelves The Hard Part Follows After Big Chain Says Yes Pen Maker’s Trial by Wal-Mart, Part III Pen Maker Struggles with Too Much Demand. Startup Journal "You Got the Big Break. Now What?". November 13, 2006. The Wall Street Journal.