The steel pen is important as an illustration of how a new tool that furthers current taste and interests is adopted and thrives. Although metal pens and points had been produced before the 19th century, they were rare and very costly. Early 19th century technological developments led to the large scale production of the steel pen which has a thin, hard, strong line well-suited for the neoclassical style then in vogue. Modifications in the steel pen (variety of points, enlarged ink reservoir) as the century progressed accompanied new styles of drawing. -- AATA