Quills (was Re: Hogwarts Uniform with Link - OT)

[mimbeltonia]

No: HPFGUIDX 117314



Potioncat wrote:
> > ...edited...
> > 
> > For that matter, has anyone ever tried to write with a quill?  
> > It's very difficult. I think the Muggle-born would be making 
> > a real mess of things, having to suddenly use them.  (No wonder 
> > the Patil twins sneak in pencils.)

>bboyminn replied:
snip 
> I've often wondered, 'why quills?'. Wondered to such a degree that I
> researched the history of writing instruments. 
snip
> I can't imagine myself going to Hogwarts and stuggling away with
> feather quills. At best, under normal use, a quill is only good for
> about a week, and during that week requires frequent resharpening.
> This frequent resharpening has given rise to the infamous 'pen-
> knife'.
snip


Mimbeltonia now wonders:

The history of writing instruments was very interesting reading. 
Thank you! 

However, I wonder, are the wizards sticking to 1700-century 
technology (or sometimes even older) because their version of it has 
been so much approved by magic that the newer muggle technology is 
not really better? 

Are the quills simply as the muggle writing tools were some hundred 
years ago, or is a wizard's quill something totally different? Could 
it be improved by self sharpening and anti-blot charms?? 

There is some stuff somewhere about "self-correcting ink".  (I 
apologise for not having the reference ready - but I think it was 
banned for OWL exams, OotP)

I get the impression that non of the muggle raised students complain 
about the inconvenience of using wizard tools and equipment...


Mimbeltonia