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The Conklin Nozac was introduced by Conklin in 1931, designed by Louis Vavrik, and was the company’s most ambitious attempt at a modern filling system. Its name is derived from “no sac,” which reflects one of its defining features—it employed a piston filler, rather than the rubber ink sac systems typical of many earlier Conklin pens.
The Conklin Nozac was introduced by Conklin in 1931, designed by Louis Vavrik, and was the company’s most ambitious attempt at a modern filling system. Its name is derived from “no sac,” which reflects one of its defining features—it employed a piston filler, rather than the rubber ink sac systems typical of many earlier Conklin pens.
The pen had a visible ink reservoir in its upper barrel so users could see the ink level. In 1934, Conklin added a Word Gauge to many Nozacs—a scale marked in the transparent ink chamber to show how many thousands of words one might expect to write before refilling (not featured on the pictured pen). Nozacs were produced in a number of sizes and styles—some fully rounded, others faceted (10- or 12- or 14-sided barrels), and with a variety of celluloid colors and finishes.
The pen had a visible ink reservoir in its upper barrel so users could see the ink level. In 1934, Conklin added a Word Gauge to many Nozacs—a scale marked in the transparent ink chamber to show how many thousands of words one might expect to write before refilling (not featured on the pictured pen). Nozacs were produced in a number of sizes and styles—some fully rounded, others faceted (10- or 12- or 14-sided barrels), and with a variety of celluloid colors and finishes.
While innovative, the Nozac had drawbacks. Its piston mechanism was delicate; components like the hollow piston shaft could bind or deform. Also, introduced during the Depression, its production and popularity were limited by broader economic decline and competition.
While innovative, the Nozac had drawbacks. Its piston mechanism was delicate; components like the hollow piston shaft could bind or deform. Also, introduced during the Depression, its production and popularity were limited by broader economic decline and competition.
The Nozac remained in production until about 1938, by which time Conklin’s fortunes were waning. Today, it’s considered one of the most interesting Conklin models for collectors, because of its technical innovations and its aesthetic variety.
The Nozac remained in production until about 1938, by which time Conklin’s fortunes were waning. Today, it’s considered one of the most interesting Conklin models for collectors, because of its technical innovations and its aesthetic variety.
*Description written using ChatGPT and proofread for accuracy.
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