• by Barbie Romero , May 27, 2025

Introduced in 1964 in Downtown Chicago and first endorsed by Johnny Carson, can you guess which famous black marker started it all?

1. Sharpie was introduced in 1964 by Sanford Ink Company located in Downtown Chicago. The Sharpie Fine Point black marker became the first pen-style permanent marker, writing on almost any surface from glass, wood, and stone, to plastic, metal and, of course, paper.

2. Sharpie is known for being a cornerstone in the entertainment space, but its first celebrity endorser came in the same year it was founded with NBC talk show host Johnny Carson at the helm using Sharpie Fine Point black marker to sign autographs at The Tonight Show. This was just the beginning of what later became Sharpie's 'permanence' in the autograph space.

3. Sharpie introduced the Extra Fine Point marker, expanding its product line. This innovation allowed for precise writing, making it a valuable tool for detailed work. Over time, Sharpie continued to grow its lineup, eventually offering a wide range of permanent markers in various tip styles and colors.

4. From 1991 - 1997, the popularity of Sharpie markers continued to soar in the 1990s due in part to the $5 billion memorabilia industry. Autograph seekers and celebrities alike used Sharpie markers on everything from posters and trading cards to balls and jerseys.

5. From 1997 - 2002, Sharpie debuted Fine Point in an assortment of colors, and by the end of 2002, over 200 million Sharpie markers were produced, enough for approximately two Sharpie markers for every household in America!

6. Sharpie marketing and advertising hit its first high in the early 2000s by sponsoring PGA golfers Arnold Palmer, David Toms, Chad Campbell, and Gary Player. Terrell Owens and Sharpie scored a touchdown—an unexpected, now famous end-zone celebration in 2001 resulted in approximately $5 million in publicity.

7. From 2005 to today, Sharpie has evolved far beyond its roots as a Permanent Marker. While still known as THE BOLD ORIGINAL, Sharpie now includes high-performance and innovative products like the Sharpie S-Gel pen and  Sharpie Creative Marker—offering consumers bold, expressive writing and creative possibilities across more surfaces and styles than ever before. Sharpie continues to inspire bold self-expression and empower everyone to ‘make their mark.’ 

If you’re interested in submitting content for future editions, please reach out to our Managing Editor, Barbie Romero at Barbie@MediaPost.com.