The name "pen" is derived from the Latin word "penna", which means feather. This is a writing instrument that, manually through capillary action applies ink to a surface, usually paper. Pens can be used with inks of many colors but commonly make use of inks in shades varying between black, blue, red, and sometimes green. There are many different kinds of pens, some of which are listed here i.e. Reed pens, Quills, Metal nibs, Fountain pens, Ballpoints, Felt tips, Roller balls and the Porous Point. All the pens of the world are made around these different. Pens are also classified depending on the type of tip that accompanies the pen, there is the ballpoint pen, the rollerball pen, the fountain pen, the felt-tip pen and also the gel pen.

Cross pens appeared in 1846 as the elegant creation of Richard Cross; throughout his life Richard Cross patented an incredible number of twenty one pens until he passed the company over to his son Alonzo. At present the company is proud to be preserving the oldest tradition in the design and manufacturing of chirography instruments.

In 1879 the precursor of the ballpoint pen was released by the company with a considerable commercial effect, and later on, in 1930 the company's first fountain pen appeared. In 1946 the company's new logo, the Century, was introduced, and it still preserves its meaning even today. Since its beginnings the company has sold more than one hundred million pens becoming a symbol of quality and longevity.

Cross pens are known as being more traditional than trendy, they focus more on quality than on design, and here, the Century II model is the best example possible since this is the one to combinerefinement with high class style. In 1916 Walter R. Boss bought the company and encouraged his son Ellery to share his passion for good pens. Ellery joined his father in 1920 and led the company for more than forty years retiring only in 1966.

In those years Cross become a company known more as a line of personal leather accessories than as a pen maker. However, following a definitely ascending path, in 1971, it was listed to the American Stock Exchange, and later on, new partners were attracted to start designing other types of appreciated fine products.

Over the last two decades Cross pens imposed themselves more as being a work of art than simple writing tools; and their price has often been considered relevant for the tradition they represent. In 1993 the Townsend fountain pen and the Selectip ballpoint pen were designed; only high quality materials were used in the process of which we could mention eighteen and ten karat gold, black lacquer, medalist and titanium. The Century II appeared in 1996, it mainly relied on fourteen or ten karat gold, blue wood, black lacquer or rose wood.

These features strictly belonged to the Century model for the international market. Another variety was produced exclusively for the American continent, and the pen was plated with gold of twenty three karats, medalist, black lacquer and chrome, the set also included a ballpoint pen, a rolling ball pen, a 0.5 millimeters pencil and a fountain pen. Later models like the ATX, Verve and Apogee respected the luxurious line the company has followed from its beginnings.