People began using quills for writing as early as the 7th century A.D. The feather pen became the writing tool of choice until the development of the steel-nib pen in the 18th century.
According to the Jane Austen Society of Australia, a scribe might choose a quill made of a raven or crow feather for the finest work, but the feathers of turkeys, swans and geese were the strongest and most reliable. Thomas Jefferson was said to breed geese specifically to provide him with tools for writing.
After the feather is plucked from the bird, the shaft is carved and sharpened to a fine point with a knife (this is the origin of the term “pen knife”).
The tip, or nib, is slit to allow the feather pen to take up ink, according to HistoricAmerica.org. The feather’s shaft holds ink until light pressure is applied. The feather pen does not hold much, and must be repeatedly dipped in ink.
When using a quill pen, it is important to clean the ink off the nib after use. A feather pen is completely washable, and will return to its original shape when dry.