Birmingham pen trade same time Osmiroid International had a large production plant in the city. Birmingham pen trade The Birmingham pen trade evolved in the Birmingham Jewellery Quarter and its surrounding area in the 19th century; for many years, the city was the centre of the world's pen trade. In Newhall Street, John Mitchell manufactured pens; he pioneered mass production of steel pens (prior to this, the quill pen was the most common form of writing instrument). Mitchells are credited as being the first manufacturers to use machines to cut pen nibs, greatly speeding up the process. John's brother William later set up
20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Maureen McGovern 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Maureen McGovern 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Maureen McGovern is a 12-track collection of songs that Maureen McGovern recorded for 20th Century Records, which was the first label that she signed with. All seven of her singles for the label are featured on this CD, two of which make their first appearance on an album ("Even Better Than I Know Myself" and "Love Songs Are Getting Harder to Sing"). Inside the album cover are McGovern's discography for 20th Century and a biographical essay written by