Lamy

:"See Lamy (disambiguation) for other meanings"Lamy (pronEng|ˈlɑːmɪ) is a producer of fountain pens in Europe. The company is German-owned and its presence is particularly strong there. Josef Lamy, who was a sales representative for The Parker Pen Company in Germany, founded the business in 1930 by purchasing the Orthos pen manufacturer. Lamy was a pioneer in the use of moulded synthetic plastics to make their product. Lamy is currently run by Josef Lamy's son, Manfred Lamy.

Product range

Lamy products have a distinctly utilitarian feel. [ [http://www.lamy.com/the_company/product_innovation/quality/index_eng.html LAMY product criteria – five steps to quality] , date accessed 24 April 2006] Like other writing instrument companies, each Lamy product has a descriptive and artistic name that evokes an idea related to the product; "Scribble", for example, is their mechanical pencil, which can take 3.15 mm graphite refills, the relatively large diameter pencil refill is useful for sketching [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/druckbleistifte?writesystem=2&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=234&detailmode=detail 185 (3,15) LAMY scribble] ] . The company refers to their products by prefixing "Lamy" in front of the descriptive name, such as "Lamy Scribble" (to avoid repetition, here only the descriptive name is used).

Many designs in Lamy's product range have won numerous awards, and many designs such as the design of the 2000 and the Safari mentioned below, amongst others, have been implemented continuously since their inception -- for example the 2000 fountain pen was originally released in 1966 and is still in production today, with a large number of product variants such as multisystem pens and mechanical pencils, all with the 2000 design.

Fountain pens

Lamy produces a number of fountain pens, the most recent of which is the Studio, designed by Hannes Wettstein. The Studio is a cartridge/converter fill pen, featuring a distinctive clip. It is available in matte black steel [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/fuellhalter?Lamy LIme is the the new Fountine pen avalible in all good pen shopswritesystem=1&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=397&detailmode=detail 067 LAMY studio black] , date accessed 24 April 2006] , polished steel [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/fuellhalter?writesystem=1&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=396&detailmode=detail 065 LAMY studio Stahl] , date accessed 24 April 2006] and palladium [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/fuellhalter?writesystem=1&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=398&detailmode=detail 068 LAMY studio Palladium] , date accessed 24 April 2006] finishes. The steel Studio pens come with steel nibs and the palladium Studio comes with a gold nib. The Studio design has won the Good Design Award [ [http://www.chi-athenaeum.org/gdesign/winners05.htm#personal Good Design Award winners, 2005, Chicago Athenaeum] , date accessed 4 May 2006] and the iF Design award in 2005 [ [http://webserver.ifdesign.de/gewinner_liste.php?sprache=1&award_id=103&search=lamy&submit=start+search iF Design List of winners] , date accessed 5 May 2006] .

The Safari is also a noted design by Wolfgang Fabian, which remains in production from 1980. Another cartridge/converter fill pen, its body is ABS plastic, with moulded triangular grip section, and comes in primary colours of red, yellow, and blue. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/fuellhalter?writesystem=1&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=146&detailmode=detail 018 LAMY safari] , date accessed 24 April 2006] . The Safari's design is visible in AL-star line, which features aluminium and other aluminium-tinted [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/fuellhalter?writesystem=1&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=109&detailmode=detail 025 LAMY AL-star] , date accessed 24 April 2006] plating and a clear plastic section, in the Joy pens which permit 1.1, 1.5, and 1.9 mm calligraphic italic nibs, and in the Vista which has an entirely clear plastic body and cap (a demonstrator pen).

Lamy's flagship fountain pen is the 2000. Designed by Gerd Alfred Müller and released in 1966, it remains in production today. The 2000 was innovative for its day for its use of a special fiberglass resin produced by Bayer, Makrolon, for the body of the pen. It is the only Lamy fountain pen that is a piston fill pen, so thus only takes bottled ink. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/fuellhalter?writesystem=1&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=178&detailmode=detail 001 LAMY 2000] , date accessed 24 April 2006] It has a gold nib, though it is plated with platinum, which achieves a uniform colour scheme to the pen. [ [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/lamy.2000.html Lamy 2000 at Penspotters] , Rick Conner, 2005, date accessed 24 April 2006] The pen's design demonstrates the Bauhaus influence on Lamy pens, and that of "form follows function" [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/unternehmen/produktinnovationen/design/geschichte/index.html Lamy-Design since 1966] , date accessed 24 April 2006] .

Ballpoints

Lamy produce ballpoint pens in different form-factors, including as pocket telescoping pens, triangular and titanium,

The pico is a pocket telescoping ballpoint pen designed by Franco Clivio. It comes in chrome, red, blue, and black finishes. Like some other Lamy pens, the pico features a small protrusion to stop the pen from rolling [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/kugelschreiber?writesystem=3&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=91&detailmode=detail 287 LAMY pico pearlchrom] , date accessed 24 April 2006] . Lamy also produces a leather carrying case uniquely for this pen. The pen has also won a red dot award for product design [ [http://en.red-dot.org/312+M56bda818b26.html Lamy pico ballpoint pen -- red dot online] , accessed 4 May 2006.]

Several noted designers have produced pen designs for Lamy, such as Richard Sapper, designer of the ThinkPad, who designed the dialog1, a triangular ballpoint, coated in titanium. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/kugelschreiber?writesystem=3&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=131&detailmode=detail274 LAMY dialog 1] , date accessed 24 April 2006]

Some fountain pen designs are also available in ballpoint form, such as the Studio, Safari, and 2000, which is available in a Makrolon ballpoint design that remains faithful to the fountain pen design, but also comes in special African blackwood [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/kugelschreiber?writesystem=3&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=132&detailmode=detail 203 LAMY 2000 blackwood] , date accessed 24 April 2006] and taxus [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/kugelschreiber?writesystem=3&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=413&detailmode=detail 203 LAMY 2000 taxus] , date accessed 24 April 2006] editions. The 2000 also comes in a four colour variant [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/mehrfarbkugelschreiber?writesystem=4&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=181&detailmode=detail 401 LAMY 2000] , date accessed 24 April 2006] .

Rollerballs

Other designs such as the Safari and Studio come in rollerball form too, though certain designs such as the Swift are uniquely rollerball pens. The distinguishing design feature of the Swift is the retractable clip. When the point is extended, the Swift's clip retracts to be flush with the body of the pen, which helps the pen sit in the hand more comfortably, and also serves as a preventative reminder not to reinsert the pen into one's pocket with the point extended which may cause staining. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/tintenroller?writesystem=5&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=107&detailmode=detail 330 LAMY swift Palladium] , date accessed 24 April 2006] [ [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/lamy.html Lamy pens] , Rick Conner, 2005, date accessed 24 April 2006] . Lamy is also one of the few pen manufacturers to produce a cartridge rollerball, the Balloon. It takes the ink cartridges for the fountain pens, but has a rollerball mechanism, and has an elastic clip. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/patronenroller?writesystem=9&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=414&detailmode=detail 311 LAMY balloon] , date accessed 24 April 2006] This is one of Lamy's newest products.

Multisystem pens

Lamy produce a number of multisystem pens, which combine a ballpoint and another feature within the one pen, such as the Pickup, which integrates a ballpoint and a highlighter into one body. The highlighter is released from the body of the pen by depressing a button on the body of the pen, and can be reinserted into the body of the pen. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/mehrsystemschreiber?writesystem=6&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=133&detailmode=detail 629 LAMY pickup] , date accessed 24 April 2006] A reinvented version with aluminium body, and spring action clip has been released as the Pickup Pro in 2006. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/mehrsystemschreiber?writesystem=6&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=431&detailmode=detail 649 LAMY pickup pro] , date accessed 24 April 2006] The Pickup was also designed by Wolfgang Fabian, and has won the red dot award for product design. [ [http://en.red-dot.org/312+M5cc8b0eabd8.html Lamy pickup -- red dot online] , date accessed May 4, 2006]

Mechanical pencils

Lamy produces a wide range of mechanical pencils. Some of the other Lamy designs exist in mechanical pencil form, such as the 2000 and the Safari.The Scribble, also designed by Hannes Wettstein, is a large-bodied pencil with triangular shapings on the body to help the grip. It comes in 0.7 and 3.15 mm lead variants. To make the pencil more comfortable when sketching, the clip on the pencil is removable. The 0.7 mm pencil comes with an integrated eraser and needle which is used if the pencil becomes clogged with broken fine pieces of graphite. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/schreibsysteme/druckbleistifte?writesystem=2&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=1&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=236&detailmode=detail 186 (0,7) LAMY scribble black] , date accessed 24 April 2006]

Ink

Lamy produces ink in bottles and cartridges. Lamy provide the widest range of colours in what it designates as T10 cartridges, with black, blue, blue-black, red, green, turquoise, and violet. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/zubehoer/minenundzubehoer?writesystem=0&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=3&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=325&detailmode=detail LAMY T 10] , date accessed 24 April 2006] Lamy ink bottles are provided in two forms, the slender T51 bottles providing ink in blue, black, red, and turquoise, [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/zubehoer/minenundzubehoer?writesystem=0&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=3&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=326&detailmode=detail LAMY T 51] , date accessed 24 April 2006] while the T52 bottles are larger, and have a greater colour selection providing ink in blue, black, red, turquoise, and blue-black. The T52 bottles also provide a roll of blotter tape used to clean the pen after filling, or to blot writing. [ [http://www.lamy.de/en/endverbraucher/produkte/zubehoer/minenundzubehoer?writesystem=0&program=0&targetgroup=1&language=2&prodgroup=3&highprice=0&lowprice=0&newest=0&ref=self&produktid=327&detailmode=detail LAMY T 52] , date accessed 24 April 2006] Both bottles are specially shaped with a wide neck and a basin to collect ink to aid filling when close to empty.

Lamy blue-black is an iron gall based ink, so all warnings apply.

Earlier designs

Earlier Lamy designs includes the Lady and the Persona; "vintage" designs are varied but have numerical suffixes instead of descriptive names. The Lady was a design intended to appeal to women; the Lady is manufactured out of painted, hardened, porcelain and does not feature a clip as it was thought that women do not normally make use of the clip -- a small protrusion prevents the pen from rolling on a flat surface. The Lady was designed by Wolfgang Fabian and Sharon Jodjaja was responsible for the barrel designs. [ [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/lamy.html Lamy pens] , Rick Conner, 2005, date accessed 24 April 2006] The Persona was designed by Mario Bellini. It features concentric ribs on the grip and parallel ribs down the barrel, a retractable clip that retracts flush with the cap, and a small protrusion again to stop the pen from rolling. [ [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/lamy.html Lamy pens] , Rick Conner, 2005, date accessed 24 April 2006]

Business history

External references dealing with Lamy's business history commence in 1984, where Lamy's export share increased to 33 percent of turnover. In 1986, Lamy, Montblanc, and Parker held between them 70-80 percent of the West German market, and export markets then consisted of the US, Japan, and Austria. Lamy then had hoped to expand that export share to 50 percent of turnover, which stood at approximately 40 million Deutschmark (DM) for 1985. ["C Lamy of West Germany, which manufactures ball-point and fountain pens, has reported a turnover for 1985 of DM 44m (DM 40m).", Textline Multiple Source Collection (1980-1994), 1986] Turnover for Lamy increased to 48 million DM for 1987, ["Results for 1987 for Josef Lamy GmbH.", Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 23 May 1988] then employing 350 people, increasing to 54 million DM in 1988 and a corresponding increase in staff to nearly 400.

In 1989, turnover increased to approximately 62 million DM, and Lamy had begun taking on employees as sleeping partners. The result was approximately one third of the then 400 workforce becoming sleeping partners. In that year, Lamy established contacts with East Germany and planned to do business there as well as in West Germany. ["C. Joseph Lamy GMBH announces 15% increase in turnover in 1989 and plans further investment", Textline Multiple Source Collection (1980-1994), 18 April 1990] 1991 held an increase in staff and turnover again, this time to 85 million DM and five hundred staff. ["C Josef Lamy raised 1991 turnover by 15%.", Süddeutsche Zeitung, 19 May 1992] Lamy invested in their "innovation workshop" in Heidelberg, in 1996, along with approximate expected turnover being 113 million DM ["Lamy invests in innovation centre, turnover growth forecast", Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 24 October 1996] . 1999 showed Lamy reporting stable turnover of approximately 120 million DM, though domestic demand has fallen. ["Lamy records international growth", Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 16 June 2001]

References

External links

* [http://www.lamy.de Lamy's website]
* [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/lamy.html Lamy at Penspotters]
* [http://www.rickconner.net/penspotters/lamy.2000.html Lamy 2000 at Penspotters]
* [http://www.marcuslink.com/pens/ink/lamy.htm Review of Lamy ink at Glenn's Pen Page]
* [http://www.stylophilesonline.com/05-05/05studio.htm Review of the Lamy Studio at Stylophiles Online]
* [http://www.the-gadgeteer.com/review/lamy_2000_4_color_multi_pen_review Review of Lamy 2000 4-colour pen at The Gadgeteer]
* [http://chiralsoftware.com/blog/Fountain-pen-review-Lamy-Accent-Brilliant-480432af1468ddbc.html Review of Accent Brilliant Briarwood at Chiral Software]