I miss many things about life in the 70s and the 80s, but the cartridge pen isn't one of them. Why they were still being given to children in 1975 is a mystery.

When I was first taught to write with a pen at primary school it was using a cartridge pen. I don’t remember much about them, except they seemed to scratch the paper, rather than write, and I had to use blotting paper under my hand, otherwise everything got smudged.

I’m pretty sure we only used cartridge pens for a couple of years.

The difference between conventional fountain pens and this class is that cartridge pens get their ink from a disposable ink cartridge, which is a small plastic container that fits into the pen. When the ink runs short, the cartridge can be replaced. Fountain pens have one permanent cartridge, and they get their ink from bottles.

I read an account where one person said: “A fountain pen trains you to write with light pressure and is much less tiring than a ballpoint, rollerball or pencil.”

This commercial website explains the difference:

"A fountain pen ink cartridge is a small disposable capsule filled with fountain pen ink. This ink cartridge attaches to the back of the fountain pen feed and supplies the pen with ink. When the ink cartridge runs out of ink you simply remove the empty cartridge, throw it away and insert a fresh one. According to Pen Chalet:

Advantages of fountain pen ink cartridges

• Convenience: Ink cartridges are convenient. They are easy to carry and easy to use.

• Mess free: Fountain pen ink can be messy and ink cartridges are relatively mess free. Filling the pen does not require dipping the pen in an ink bottle.

Disadvantages of fountain pen ink cartridges

• Selection: Ink cartridges come in less colors and ink choices that bottled inks. Also fountain pens will only accept certain types of ink cartridges and so you are limited to specific brands that will fit your pen.

• Ink quantity: Fountain pen ink cartridges are typically smaller and hold less ink than a converter or piston style fountain pen."
  
  I struggle to think why teachers in 1975 thought a cartridge pen was better than a ballpoint, but the explanation above probably nails it.

The fact less pressure is required to write probably makes it easier for little ones. I guess it also gave us an appreciation of ink and legibility. There may have been merit as well in teaching cursive script.

Not that I have ever been particularly neat with my writing. In fact, my handwriting has deteriorated over the years as I’ve produced far more words using a keyboard than I have with a pen.

The rare occasions that I write anything these days, apart from my signature, like Christmas cards, are actually a chore and require significant concentration.

Maybe a cartridge pen would make it easier.