People used to use feathers as pens.
Before the invention of plastic ink pens, people used to use feathers dipped in ink to write their letters. If you are teaching children about Colonial history, you can help the kids make their own feather ink pens, otherwise called quills. The materials needed to make the feather quill pens can be found at any craft supply store. Once finished, the children will be able to experience what it is like to write like people did a long time ago.
Instructions
1. Fill a dish pan with hot water and 2 tbsp. of dish soap. Insert a large feather into the soapy water, and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. Rub the feather slightly to cleanse it, then rinse it with warm water. Place the feather onto a towel to dry completely.
2. Cut the bottom 1/2 inch off of the bottom of the quill using a pen knife. This will remove any impurities from the bottom of the quill.
3. Cut 1/4 inch more off of the bottom of the quill, this time curving the cut downward to create a slope.
4. Cut the sides of the slope to make a sharp point.
5. Push the knife into the tip of the point to make a 1/8-inch cut. This cut will hold ink as you write.
6. Dip the cut end of the feather pen into ink, and write onto paper with it. It may take some practice to get used to writing with a quill, as people did hundreds of years ago.
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