In an era when most of the world types or texts hundreds of times a day, beautiful pens seem more like an indulgence than ever. Montblanc, one of the most recognizable names among pen-makers, keeps up ...

Turkish Penholder and Reed Pen (18th century), gilt metal set with rubies (or spinels) and emeralds. Courtesy the Walters Art Museum. Until relatively recently, reading and writing were the pastimes ...

Things I’ve considered making on my own: a computer, a coffee table, a treehouse, mayonnaise and a few other things. Things I’ve never considered making on my own: toilet paper, socks, phones and pens ...

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at ...