When you take a look at the items I use for my work, you will notice something: They're all made somewhere culturally interesting. I've included a link to the history of the company that produces each product. This collection will keep growing with more secret gems.
(If you buy from the list, I get a small cut. No additional cost to you.)
For my handwritten notes, I trust Italy. Fabriano EcoQua Spiral-Bound Notebooks. I like the more compact 5.83 x 8.27 version with blank sheets to include drawings and diagrams with my notes. Fabriano also makes the EcoQua grid version, which I've used for precision.
The paper's history goes back to the 13th Century. Notable: Used by Michelangelo to correspond with his friend Niccolo della Buca in 1514 and Ludwig Van Beethoven to jot down notes and music in 1812. All euro denominations were printed on Fabriano paper in 2002.
Writing by hand is smoother with a mechanical pencil. I use Uni, from Japan. The Kuru Toga lead is softer on the outside and more effective with the mechanism (recommended). My second favorite led is Ain Stein, which almost never smudges and lasts a little longer.
Established in 1887 as Masaki Pencil Manufacturing company in Tokyo, the company registered the Mitsubishi (three diamonds) brand in 1903. The marketing on 'uni' quality pencils began in 1958.
I like using glue to close envelopes for a couple of reasons. 1./ the glue that comes with them is often weak; 2./ it's more hygienic than using a sponge to seal. For that and other fun projects like my fall cards, I use German- or Dutch-manufactured UHU stick glue.
Pharmacist August Fischer acquired the small Ludwig Hoerth chemicals plant in Bühl in 1905 and developed the world's first ready-to-use, transparent artificial resin adhesive in 1932.