Analog value in a digital world: the World bowed to the Hungarian manufactory's fountain pens

The Etelburg's specially designed, limited edition fountain pen can reflect the personality of its owner. The Hungarian manufactory's innovations have already caught the attention of market leaders.

The article on Forbes.hu was written by Péter Szalai in Hungarian, translation was made by Etelburg. Photos by László Sebestyén and Etelburg. The original article in Hungarian is available here.

People of the 21st century live in a realm of bits and bytes, as various digital technologies increasingly replace traditional analog methods in nearly every area of life. Notebooks have been replaced by laptops, paper documents by files, canvases by tablets, letters by emails, rulers and compasses by software, and children are increasingly learning to type before they learn to write by hand.

It hasn’t disappeared, but it has transformed

One might think that in this era, traditional writing instruments are gradually becoming obsolete.

The fountain pens, symbols of a slower, bygone era, might seem completely out of place. But this is such a mistake that it’s visible even from Mars.

This sector is still thriving today, though it has evolved slightly. There remains a significant customer base that is willing and able to invest in such tools, and there are limited edition models that can change hands for tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros. Moreover, it's not just the big players dominating the market; there are also emerging companies that, thanks to their excellent innovations, are becoming significant players.

The statement is perfectly exemplified by a Hungarian family business, Etelburg. Founded nearly a decade ago by Péter Megyeri, the managing director, and Gábor Megyeri, the art director, this Budapest-based manufactory has introduced fresh and forward-thinking solutions that have caught the entire industry's attention.

Personalisable

Their flagship product, the Etelburg 'r.feather,' features modularity as one of its key attributes. The product, which arrives in an elegant box, allows for the easy replacement of the standard barrel with a so-called studio barrel with a single movement. This change alters the pen's characteristics, adjusts the center of gravity, and makes it more similar to a brush, thus making it much more suitable for drawing and calligraphy.

In addition, the nib can be swapped out in seconds, transforming the fountain pen into a rollerball pen, which is closer to the widely used ballpoint pens. And this is just the beginning, as future additions will include felt-tip or brush nibs. Prototypes for these have already been completed. Furthermore, they are also working on a module that turns the 'r.feather' into an active pen, making it ideal for work and creation on touch-sensitive digital drawing tablets or tablets.

The aim is to provide users with a product that can be tailored to their specific needs, preferences, or even moods.

Furthermore, this design simplifies repairs and servicing, making them more cost-effective. Such an advanced modular structure is unique in the market, and Etelburg has taken it a step further with additional innovations.

Inspired by Gábor Megyeri’s idea, they have created a mini-ecosystem that allows users to choose their own ink colors. This is facilitated through a proprietary mobile application where users select their desired shade, and this information is sent to a mixer containing multiple base colors, which then produces the desired tone.

As a result, pen owners can use their personal colors, making the tools entirely customizable. This represents a new milestone in the evolution of fountain pens. The cartridges are completely unique and cannot be used with products from other manufacturers, and the mixer itself complements the concept with its sleek, elegant design.

Vision and Reality

Although Etelburg is a young company, it did not emerge from nowhere. Péter Megyeri, a technology enthusiast, has spent nearly twenty years in telecommunications, IT, and economic fields.

His experience in management within large multinational environments has been crucial for the company's development. Gábor Megyeri, on the other hand, has made his mark as a designer with industry giants such as Montblanc and Montegrappa.

Both had a vision: one of how to build and lead a company and brand, and the other of what kinds of products should be created.

Gábor Megyeri, Art Director, Etelburg. Photo by: László Sebestyén

Together, they turned these visions into reality, and to add to the success, they were already closely related, being cousins.

Old and New Combined

Although an Etelburg pen might appear to be handcrafted, this is not the case. After the initial sketches, Gábor Megyeri quickly transitioned to using a computer, employing industry-standard 3D software to create detailed plans for the components as well as the final pen.

Even the more affordable tools are incredibly elegant. Photo by: Etelburg

 

The company uses 3D printing to quickly and efficiently create prototypes to test ergonomics and usability. Furthermore, the manufactory embraces innovation in material use. For example, the r.feather pens are made from an aluminum alloy called Perunal, which is also used in the aerospace industry.

During the design process, the center of gravity plays a crucial role, impacting the comfort of use. A well-designed, comfortable pen glides almost effortlessly across the paper, sits steadily in the hand, and requires minimal force, ensuring that the writing remains unblemished and true to the user's style.

This brings us back to Etelburg's philosophy of allowing their pens to reflect the owner's personality, albeit in a more subtle way.

Who are the Etelburg pens for?

The most expensive pen in the company's range currently costs 700 euros, roughly 280,000 forints. While this might be a shock to those accustomed to gift pens or promotional items, it is not considered excessive in the current market.

Gábor Megyeri and Péter Megyeri. Photo by: László Sebestyén

 

Etelburg aims to enter the world of high-end pens priced at ten or even a hundred thousand euros, and the company has a strong chance of succeeding. The ink-mixing technology they use is internationally patented and has generated significant interest from around the globe.

In certain circles, a fountain pen can be as much a status symbol as a watch or a car, and a serious collector culture has developed around these products over the past decades.

There are limited edition models that owners store on velvet cushions, occasionally taking them out to be carefully cleaned and reassembled with satin gloves, without ever writing a single word.

Whether Etelburg pens will meet the same fate remains to be seen. However, Péter Megyeri and Gábor Megyeri firmly believe in their vision and in the enduring value of high-quality fountain pens in our increasingly digital world.