Laurie Cook developed the first ruling writer because she needed something more precise than a regular ruling pen. Her new tool featured blades struck from polished brass, which allowed it to easily glide over a sheet of paper without cutting into it. While it didn’t perform exactly like a pointed ink brush, Cook found she was able to use the same motions she did when she was painting to draw sweeping lines.
Artists soon replaced variable monoline pens with Cook’s invention. Since it’s ideal for gestural drawing, the utensil was at home in architecture firms as it was in artist’s offices.
Modern devices allow users to open and close a screw to modify the thickness of lines they draw with it. A majority of modern utensils feature polished handles, which are every bit as practical as they are attractive. It’s easier to wash any excess ink off of polished wood than it is to wash it off of metal or plastic.
