Most people don't say, "Do you have a permanent marker?"

They say, "Do you have a Sharpie?"

That's when you know you've built something bigger than a product.

For Episode 7 of the Great American Summer, I sat down with Sarah Wiskind, Senior Brand Manager for Sharpie, to talk about how a simple marker became one of the most recognizable brands in America.

It Started Long Before Sharpie

Sharpie's story actually goes back to 1857, when the Sanford Manufacturing Company was founded.

It wasn't until 1964 that the first Sharpie permanent marker launched. The idea was simple: combine the comfort of a pen with permanent marker ink.

It solved a real problem. And people noticed.

Over time, Sharpie became part of everyday life, from signing autographs to marking golf balls to labeling school supplies.

Eventually, people stopped saying "permanent marker."

They just said "Sharpie."

Staying True While Evolving

The original Sharpie design has barely changed. The iconic gray barrel and black cap are still instantly recognizable.

But the brand has evolved.

Today, Sharpie includes permanent markers, highlighters, S-Gel pens and creative markers.

As Sarah explained, the goal isn't to reinvent Sharpie. It's to protect what the brand stands for while finding new ways for people to use it.

People are journaling, customizing sneakers, decorating water bottles and creating art.

The brand evolves because the way people use it evolves.

500 Million Sharpies a Year

Here's a number that's hard to comprehend:

About 500 million fine-point Sharpies are manufactured every year.

And they're not just being used in the U.S. Sharpie is a global brand.

That's what happens when a product becomes part of culture.

You don't need to explain the name.

Would Sharpie Become Iconic Today?

I asked Sarah if Sharpie launched today, would it still become iconic?

She thinks it would.

I agree.

People still want tools that help them create, personalize and express themselves.

Technology changes. Culture changes.

But people still want to make their mark.

That's what Sharpie has been doing for more than 60 years.

Watch Episode 7 of the Great American Summer to hear the full conversation with Sarah Wiskind.