Special Sub-Topic: 'Floaty' Pens Click Here To Play: 'Floaty' Pens

What kind of pen is a 'floaty'?

ballpoint. It's always a ballpoint, with a twist mechanism at the writing end in place of the click-top.

What fluid is always in the transparent upper barrel?

oil. Oil is used in the transparent upper part where the up-and-down action is.

What is the little plastic picture that floats up and down called?

glider. The glider is the little picture on a piece of plastic that goes up and down in the oil when the pen is tilted.

Who invented the 'floaty' and what is his nationality?

Peder Eskesen, Denmark. Eskesen was a local baker who invented it in his native Denmark. (I'm of Danish descent too!)

When was it invented, and what was the first company to appear on it?

1946, Esso. Long before it became Exxon, Esso sponsored the first 'floaty' {pen;} a barrel of Esso oil floated in that first transparent half.