Elizabethan Period: 1558 to 1603


Timeline of writing implements <http://www.ringpen.com/history.html>:

4000 BC - bone/bronze on clay
3000 BC - reed brushes/pens on papyrus
1300 BC - metal on wax
dark ages - parchment
600-1800 AD - quill pen on parchment
1790 AD - leaded pencil
1803 AD - steel nib pen


- Steel nib pen developed between 1724 and 1803.


<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatrum_Orbis_Terrarum>

    Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, ("Theatre of the World") is
    considered to be the first true modern atlas. Written by Abraham Ortelius
    and originally printed on May 20, 1570, in Antwerp, it consisted of a
    collection of uniform map sheets and sustaining text bound to form a book
    for which copper printing plates were specifically engraved.