Pens are so commonly used that it can be easy to take them for granted. But it hasn’t always been that way.

In fact, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the ballpoint pen as we know it today became commercially available. Entrepreneur and inventor Al Liguori, the owner of a Bronx, NY-based tool-and-dye company and a machinist by trade, was among the first to produce ballpoint pens in the U.S. He’d go on to create these stationery items for several clients across industries, and before he knew it, a company called National Pen (asi/281040) was born.

Father-son duo and business partners Tom (left) and Al (right) Liguori, who founded National Pen/Pens.com (asi/281040) 60 years ago.

In 1966, Liguori directed his brother-in-law Paul Stabile and eldest son Tom to officially launch National Pen Company.

Sixty years later, the company now goes by Pens.com (asi/281040), and it’s grown from a custom pen provider into a global leader in promotional products, serving millions of customers across 22 markets worldwide. Today, Pens.com offers thousands of customizable products to meet a variety of business needs.

Over the last six decades, Pens.com’s product line has grown to include products such as drinkware and stationery.

“This anniversary isn’t just about Pens.com – it’s about the millions of businesses we’ve had the privilege to support along the way,” said CEO Bryan Kranik. “For 60 years, businesses of all sizes, from all around the world, have trusted us to bring their brands to life. We’re incredibly grateful for that trust and proud to have played a role in their success. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue investing in new products, new enhancements and new services to help businesses stand out.”

Key to its growth, the company said, is Counselor Top 40 distributor Cimpress’ (asi/162149) acquisition of the firm in 2016, which unlocked advanced technology and personalization capabilities for Pens.com. Cimpress is a publicly traded company, and also owns VistaPrint, BoxUp (asi/41320), BuildASign (asi/149883) and several others.

As part of the celebration, Pens.com team members from around the world participated in the filming of a “thank-you” video to customers, sharing messages of gratitude in their native languages and honoring the support that has fueled the company’s global growth over the past 60 years.

While Pens.com is proud of its heritage, the company said it remains focused on the future. With continued investments in technology, customization, product innovation and customer experience, Pens.com is committed to helping business owners build their brand, connect with customers and grow their business.

“We’ve spent 60 years helping businesses make meaningful connections,” added Kranik. “The opportunity ahead is even more exciting than the journey behind us, and we’re just getting started.”