In my Ferrous Sulfate post, I mentioned that I was making ferrous sulfate for another project — this is that project to which I was referring!
Long before the invention of the ballpoint pen that is the most ubiquitous writing implement today, the early settlers and the Founding Fathers only had access to simpler writing implements such as quills and iron gall ink.
Quills are simply the main feathers from the wings or tail of a bird. In order to make a quill pen, a quill from a large bird — such as a goose, turkey, or swan — was taken and the tip of the quill was carved into a nib.
Iron gall ink was made by collecting the abnormal growths on trees (typically oak trees) that are caused by gall wasps and then boiling the oak galls in water to extract the tannic acid. A source of iron, such as ferrous sulfate or copperas, was then added to the solution, which caused the tan solution to instantly become black ink.
Technically, I haven’t yet found my own oak galls, but I purchased some pure tannic acid and reacted it with some ferrous sulfate that I made during my ferrous sulfate post.
Use of Quills and Iron Gall Ink in Early America
Iron gall ink and quill pens were the most common types of ink and pens used for writing during the 18th century, in fact, many documents throughout early American history — such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights — were written using iron gall ink and quill pens.
The Chemistry of Iron Tannate Ink
Iron gall ink is formed when the tannic acid from oak galls reacts with the iron in the ferrous sulfate to make a solution of black iron (II) tannate (ferrous tannate) along with some sulfuric acid. When the ink — which is a solution of water-soluble ferrous tannate — is applied to paper, it soaks into the fibers of the paper. Interestingly, once the ink is exposed to air, it quickly oxidizes, causing it to darken and become insoluble iron (III) tannate (ferric tannate). Because the solution is within the structure of the paper, the insoluble ferric tannate latches onto the fibers of the paper, which means the ink that was soaked into the paper cannot be washed away or brushed off!
If there are any stains left by the ink, I have found that hydrochloric acid can dissolve the ink, while oxalic acid will make the ink stains become clear, however, these compounds can be very dangerous as hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that can corrode surfaces and burn you while oxalic acid is corrosive and poisonous. If you ever work with an acid, always use appropriate gloves, ventilation, and eye-protection and have a base (such as baking soda) nearby to quickly neutralize any acid if needed!
What do you think about this classic method of writing?
Onward American 