When the first mechanical pencils came onto the market in the late 1930s, there was a need for a device that would sharpen the lead without damaging the metal holder. Georges Dessonnaz from Fribourg, Switzerland, developed a lead sharpener and applied for a patent:

• Swiss patent dated April 9, 1939

• US patent dated May 20, 1941

The initial letters of his name were used to name the pencil sharpener: GEDESS.

The Gedess allows for:

• Precise sharpening of 2–4 mm leads
• Fine, controlled tips thanks to integrated grinding wheel
• Gentle sharpening without damaging the lead holder
• Clean handling thanks to transparent collection chamber
• Uniform tip due to the rotating motion of the pen

*part of MoMA's design collection