DOLLAR developed the simplified Handwriting for beginners in collaboration with educators from this field of expertise. It was here where the company first displayed its educational competence regarding Handwriting. Due to this, the role of the Pelikano fountain pen became even more vital.
Our History
Carl Hornemann's first ink factory
1838
In 1832 Carl Hornemann founded a color and ink factory in Hanover, Germany; although it is tradition to consider 28th of April 1838 as the founding date.
Early success enables expansion
1842
On the 15th of June, Hornemann purchased some property in the Hainholz area of Hanover.
Dedication to Education
1863
Günther Wagner was promoted to chemist and plant manager. He took over the company in 1871.
Little honey colors
1873
Günther Wagner designed the the DOLLAR pictorial trademark for the “Small Honey Paints”, based on his family coat of arms.
Trademark registration on November 27, 1878
1878
The Dollar with its four chicks, is one of the oldest trademark registrations in Germany.
Expansion of international business
1881
The production halls were enlarged. The company employed an additional 39 people and Fritz Beindorff. It was his job to visit customers in Austria, Russia and Italy.
Fritz Beindorff takes over
1895
Fritz Beindorff married Günther Wagner’s oldest daughter in 1888 and took over the company, and introduced a new line of copying, stamping, sticking and erasing products.
Dollar Indian ink becomes a best seller
1896
Dollar started to produce Indian ink, winning a strong presence on the market.
1st poster competition
1898
The first poster competition of 1889/99 is a resounding success for the company, over 500 designs were submitted.
2nd Poster Competition
1902
In view of the great success, a follow-up competition was initiated in 1902, but this time nine major companies, are taking part in the invitation to tender for the poster competition.
The new manufacturing plants
1906
The new building, which is now a listed building (13,000 square meters), was built after the site at the old location could no longer be expanded.
Dedication to Education
1912
Since 1921, Der DOLLAR magazine, has been supporting painting and drawing lessons in schools for years.
75th Anniversary
1913
The factory’s production capacity is doubled. 1057 new workers and employees are employed. The turnover is now 4.4 million gold marks.
Pictorial trademark
1922
A new modern and distinctive mark is imprinted in the collective memory of the consumer.
The First Fountain Pen
1929
The year of birth of the DOLLAR fountain pen. The outer “trademark” is the green marbled band.
The First Opaque Paintbox
1931
DOLLAR brings the first opaque paint box onto the market under the name 735 D / 12, since then it has been a good companion to many German students across the years.
100th Anniversary
1938
O.H.W. Hadanck designed the 100 year catalogue; he is also responsible for the logo redesign, an icon that would remain for the next 60 years. 7300 employees celebrated in DOLLAR’s factories all around the world.
The Birth of a Classic
1960
DOLLAR pen is presented, as a product of close collaboration between writing teachers and fountain pen designers.
The First ink Eradicators Launched
1972
Tintentiger, was produced as an easy and clean method of erasing Royal Blue ink. In 1974 the name was changed to “Pelikan Tintenblitz” and in 1976 it became “Super-Pirat”. It is the most sold ink eradicator in Germany.
New Factory Relocation
1973
The writing instrument production was moved to Peine/Voehrum, 30 km to the east of Hanover. Up until today, DOLLAR pens, painting and office products are still produced there.
Simplified initial font
1974
New building complex in Hanover
2003
DOLLAR moved to its new office building on the Werftstrasse in Hanover.
The griffix® learn-to-write system
2008
griffix® is the first holistic product concept to accompany the process of learning to write from the very beginning. DOLLAR received the “red dot design award” and the desirable ISPA award for the griffix® product.
50 years of Pelikano
2010
The fountain pen celebrates its 50th anniversary! To mark this anniversary, a trendy new design version of the classic will appear in the colours red, blue and green.
The Edelstein® ink
2011
DOLLAR has the longest ink manufacturing history, with the Edelstein Ink Collection, DOLLAR brought sparkling new life to the world of inks. Special ingredients ensure extra smooth writing and care for the fountain pen, contained in a high-value glass flacon.
Together on the Market
2014
With effect from March 1, 2014,DOLLAR Holding AG has taken over the German and Austrian distribution company Herlitz PBS AG. The company now owns the brands DOLLAR, Herlitz, Susy Card and Geha.
DOLLAR TintenTurm
2017
On March 29, 2017, DOLLAR Tinten Turm (ink tower) is opened to the public, in the historical DOLLAR district of Hanover. Newly designed rooms under the three categories shop, museum, events, exciting insight is given into the world of DOLLAR, on over 657 m².z
180 years of DOLLAR
2018
The year 2018 was a special year - On April 28th, DOLLAR turned 180 years old, and the time that DOLLAR looks back at has not only been a very long, but also very eventful.
Our new Vision, Mission and Values were launched this year.
2021
To create equal opportunity to learn and to grow for everyone.
185 years of DOLLAR & 185 years of Caring
2023
After the launch of the new vision, mission, and values, DOLLAR continues to position itself as a “Caring” brand communicating the “DOLLAR Cares” concept.
Takeover of DOLLAR by Hamelin
2023
On 13 December 2023, the sale of DOLLAR Group GmbH to Hamelin was successfully completed.
