quills

Quills is a term with two main meanings. It can refer to the natural quills found on certain animals, especially porcupines (and to a lesser extent hedgehogs and other rodents), and it can refer to the writing implement made from the flight feathers of birds, most famously goose quills. In natural history, quills are stiff, hollow hairs or spines composed of keratin. Porcupine quills grow from the skin and can detach when touched, providing a defense mechanism. They vary in size and shape and can be used by humans for tools, ornament, and crafts.

In writing, a quill pen is fashioned from a large bird feather. The hollow shaft (the calamus) carries ink to the tip, where the feather is trimmed and shaped to form a nib with a slit. The nib is cut to a point and the tip is prepared to regulate ink flow. Quills are typically used by dipping the nib into ink and writing with pressure to release ink through the slit. They require regular maintenance, including trimming the nib and periodically re-shaping it.

Quills have a long historical role as a primary writing instrument in Europe from medieval times through the early modern period, gradually giving way to metal nibs and fountain pens as writing technologies evolved. Beyond writing, quillwork uses dyed porcupine quills to decorate textiles and leather, a craft practiced by various Indigenous cultures in North America. Today, quills retain cultural and artistic significance and are also used by enthusiasts to reproduce traditional calligraphic effects.