goose quill的意思|示意

Goose quill is a slender, pointed feather plucked from a wild goose. The hollow feather shaft, bleached white and sharpened, is used as a writing tool. Goose quills were a popular writing tool from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century when steel nibs and fountain pens supplanted them.

Before the invention of the steel nib, goose quills were the principal writing implement for writers and many other professions. Throughout the 1500s, 1600s, and 1700s, a skilled quill cutter could produce a writing tool that would last for about two months. They were then discarded or used for arts and crafts projects.

Goose quills were often used to write with permanent ink. To prepare the quill for writing, the tip was cut at an angle, which created a sharp point. It was then dipped into a well of ink and used to write on the paper. Unlike modern fountain pens, the quill required frequent dipping back into the ink well.

Due to its fragility, the quill could be easily broken if mishandled. To combat this problem, a quill holder was used. It was made of brass, wood, ivory, or other materials, and typically featured a small letter opener and a place to scrape the quill clean once it had dried out.

Today, goose quills are used more for arts and crafts than writing. Quill pens are popular for calligraphy and for making elegant writing decorations for scrapbooks or stationery. Goose quills are also used in the creation of quill- and feather-tipped pens and hats, and for making feather dusters and fly-tying materials.