Karl Marxers
Karl Marxers were a short lived permanent marker named after Karl Marx (1818-1883). Produced during May 1968 until September 1969, they became the most used permanent marker amongst lefty 16 year olds. They were used to write slogans like "Che Guevara!" and "Free Beer for Beardies".
History[edit]
Karl Marxers were first developed during May 1968, among a series of various other communist-themed stationary, including Communist Crayons and Stalin Staplers. The first box of Karl Marxers only included one colour: red, but due to popular demand, several other colours, including "Bourgeoisie Black" and "Proletariat Pink".
For the full-on revolutionary "Engels Erasers" and "Bolshevik Blotting Paper" came in handy to change the message you understood needed updating/changing/denying.
Uses[edit]
Having a box of Karl Marxers became a status symbol for those who wanted to be 'revolutionary correct'. Others caught using capitalist pens or enemies-of-the-people quills were forced to stand and watch as their instruments of oppression were ground into the dust.
Counter revolutinaries[edit]
The good times for the Karl Marxers ended with the emergence of huge stationery companies who were determined to suppress these remarkable pens. In the USA Walmart banned them, fearing by stocking these pens that they would encourage disruptive action from the company's workers. The 'red pen peril' had to be eliminated.
Walmart's success was imitated in the rest of the world outside the Soviet Union and China. They clearly saw the link between working class solidarity and the appropriate stationery. Today you can't find the Karl Marxers any where and the few that can be located sell very well on EBay.