Evolution of the Penagain (from left to right).
The first prototype made in Colin's garage, to the final design sold
in over 20,000 stores today
|
Part
I: How It All Began—January 2002
The story of
the PenAgain™ stretches
over 20 years in the making. The original design and idea surfaced
in 1987 while the creator was
still a young teenager.
One day Colin Roche found himself stuck in "Saturday School," a
long afternoon of study at the high school campus as punishment for
showing up late to class just one too many times. Dread turned to boredom
and boredom turned to daydreaming. And then he was given a short break
for air...
The school parking lot was hosting a local flea market that day. Colin
perused the goods on display for something to occupy his mind while
sitting in Saturday School. He picked up a flexible toy pen. This pen
would go from a silly looking robot to a long square shaped pen.
Back in the classroom, Colin fiddled with the toy and twisted the shape
into a more comfortable way to write. Then, BAM! The idea hit him.
Colin had his first vision of the new pen.
He ran home after he was released and pulled out his father's soldering
iron to make some adjustments. After spending the evening in the garage
ruining his father's tools, Colin emerged with the first working prototype
of the "PenAgain.
Another afternoon, more than 10 years later, a phone call from a friend
woke Colin from his slumber. Colin told his friend, "I just had
a dream about the pen, again". They both sat stunned in silence
and realized the perfect name for the product had just passed between
them.
Colin began pushing once again to make his dream come true. The PenAgain
would become a reality.
Colin then teamed up with Bobby Ronsse, a former business partner from
college and star engineer for a high tech company in the Bay Area.
The two began sketching solutions, and then they formed the Pacific
Writing
Instruments, Inc.
With help from several interested partners, the Pacific Writing
Instruments, Inc. developed the PenAgain and put it into production.
Now
the PenAgain is available to you. Though the journey has been
a long one, we think you'll find it well worth the wait.
The PenAgain is here. You'll never need another.
The company's founders hope you enjoy the PenAgain™ as much as
we enjoyed developing it for you. Please send us feedback with any
thoughts or suggestions you have for the product.
Notes from the founders! Read the
Penagain Blog!
Contact
a member of the team directly! Let us know how you feel about
the PenAgain and any suggestions you might
have to make it better.
Pacific Writing Instruments
PO Box 2396
Escondido, CA 92033
(650) 355-2640 Sales
(858) 513-3653 Customer Support
(650) 745-1499 Fax |
