Edwin Hubble
(1889 – 1953)
The Man Who Expanded the Universe
Born in Marshfield, Missouri, Edwin Hubble is best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of astronomy, particularly his discovery that the universe is expanding. Before Hubble's observations, the prevailing belief was that the universe was static and confined to the Milky Way; however, through his work at the Mount Wilson Observatory, Hubble discovered that other galaxies exist beyond our own and that they are moving away from us. This monumental discovery led to the formulation of Hubble's Law, which states that the velocity at which a galaxy is receding from an observer is directly proportional to its distance from the observer.
Hubble's contributions fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. His name has been immortalized through the Hubble Space Telescope which continues to explore the far reaches of space. Like the Telescope, Edwin Hubble’s discoveries transformed the frontier of scientific knowledge. His work took us beyond the Milky Way and placed us in an ever-expanding universe with myriads of galaxies beyond our own.
The Edwin Hubble collection is a celebration of the cosmos and the countless mysteries that Hubble helped unravel. Crafted from Sterling Silver and Hot Enamel, the Hubble collection is a marvel of design and symbolism. Each aspect of the pen reflects a different element of Hubble's astronomical legacy.
The intricate engravings on the pen's body feature elliptical orbits, representing the solar system's planets and their paths around the sun. These orbits are not merely decorative; they serve as a reminder of the celestial mechanics that Hubble studied and the cosmic dance that governs our universe.
Planet Earth in its vibrant blue glory is displayed in Hot Enamel on the top of the crown, and its companion, Earth’s natural satellite, is represented by a cabochon moonstone set in the top of the telescope clip.
At the opposite end, the Hubble Crater is engraved and adorned in hot enamel. This lunar crater, located on the far side of the Moon, was named in honor of Edwin Hubble. Its inclusion on the pen serves as a testament to Hubble's far-reaching impact, even on the celestial bodies closest to us.
Depicted on the cap is the Asteroid 1373 Cincinnati, discovered by Hubble in 1935 and named in honor of the Cincinnati Observatory, one of the oldest professional observatories in the United States.
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring elements of the pen's design are the representations of the Milky Way galaxy and various nebulae. The Milky Way, the galaxy that Hubble first began to explore, is depicted as a swirling spiral with a sunburst background, filled with countless stars, capturing the vastness and complexity of our galactic home.
Nebulae, the birthplaces of stars, are also prominently featured. These cosmic clouds of gas and dust are where new stars are born, and they have been a focal point of study for the Hubble Space Telescope. This telescope, named after Edwin Hubble, has captured some of the most breathtaking images of nebulae ever seen, allowing us to peer into the very heart of star formation.
The Hubble sequence, colloquially known as the Hubble tuning-fork, is engraved in low relief, wrapping around the Milky Way on the pen barrel. This morphological classification scheme for galaxies was published by Edwin Hubble in 1926.
Radio waves, invisible to the naked eye, are cut into the background pattern on the cap in low relief. These waves represent the vast range of electromagnetic radiation that astronomers use to study the universe as well as the means by which images from the Hubble Telescope are transported back to Earth.
Engraved on the gripping section of the pen is Edwin Hubble’s signature, along with his famous and inspiring words: “The Universe is unfolding as it should”.
The Edwin Hubble collection is a masterpiece of Art and Science; it celebrates the vastness of the universe and the man who helped us understand it. It captures the essence of Hubble's contributions to science, from the elliptical orbits of our solar system to the distant galaxies that continue to expand away from us. The Edwin Hubble collection stands as a testament to the endless curiosity and exploration that he inspired, and that continues to drive humanity's quest to understand the cosmos.
The Edwin Hubble collection is the 40th in the David Oscarson collection of Limited Edition Writing Instruments. Available as Fountain Pen or Roller Ball, each of the five primary color variations will be limited to 63 pieces, commemorating the 63 years of Edwin Hubble’s illuminating and illustrious life.