What Are Sharpies?

Sharpies come in all shapes, sizes and colors to make them easier for you to use.

Sharpies are a brand of permanent marker currently manufactured by Newell Rubbermaid. The Sharpie line of products has long been known for its innovation of new styles of marker, making it easy for customers from all walks of life to find a marker to work for them. New types of the marker are constantly coming out, offering different marker tips and colors to fit every need.

Creation

The Sharpie was first introduced in 1964. Upon its release, it became the first pen-tip permanent marker available to consumers. At this time, it was only available in black and was extremely popular due to its ability to write on nearly any surface. It received immediate media attention, with endorsements coming from many directions.

Innovation

In 1979, the new "extra-fine point" marker was released to the public, giving them even more precision. Consumers also had four color options now: black, brown, blue and red. Ten years later, Sharpie released the "ultra-fine point" marker that was designed to write exactly like a pen. Today, you can find them in more than 40 colors and seven different varieties.

Media Attention

Ever since their introduction to the public, Sharpies have received media attention in many different ways. Immediately after the release of the first marker, people like Johnny Carson endorsed the product. In the new millennium, the Sharpie has become a household name much in part to the media attention it has received. in 2001, Terrell Owens caught a touchdown pass and pulled a Sharpie, signing the football and handing it to his financial adviser. This incident became known as "The Sharpie Touchdown." Sharpie has also been active in NASCAR, sponsoring the Sharpie 500 for eight years and sponsoring driver Kurt Busch as well.

Common Use

Today, Sharpies are used for many household projects and needs, as well as in school. They are used widely by athletes and movie stars for giving autographs. Athletes especially have been known to use them, due to their ability to write on balls without the autograph smearing or leaving smudges. Many people also use them for art projects, and even for daily writing.

References

• History of the Sharpie