Slavoljub Penkala: from Zagreb to the World

In 1906 Slavoljub Penkala patented a mechanical pencil called Penkala, and in the same year he opened his first shop in what is today Praška Street. This was where the mechanical pencil and the fountain pen started their world trip…

During their visit to Zagreb, American president Clinton, German statesmen Kohl and Genscher, the kings of Norway and Denmark, numerous artists, politicians and athletes received a special souvenir, a mechanical pencil or penkala in Croatian vernacular. But this was not a regular present. It was a replica of what is certainly one of very important achievements of civilization which came from Zagreb and from the genius mind of Slavoljub Penkala.

He is the author of many other inventions. In 1906 he patented a mechanical pencil called Penkala, and in the same year he opened his first shop in what is today Praška Street. This was where the mechanical pencil and the fountain pen started their world trip. Very soon they were sold in as many as seventy countries around the world.

From Zagreb to the world, with love.

(Photo: Lice grada)

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Slavoljub Penkala: from Zagreb to the World

In 1906 Slavoljub Penkala patented a mechanical pencil called Penkala, and in the same year he opened his first shop in what is today Praška Street. This was where the mechanical pencil and the fountain pen started their world trip…

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