Ever wondered what led to the invention of ballpoint pen?
A ballpoint pen is a most common thing of daily use in our lives. It’s an essential writing instrument for majority of us. However, how did this part and parcel of our lives come into existence? Well, Ladislao José Bro, a Hungarian born in 1899 to a Jewish family, invented the ball pen. In 1931, he devised the ball pen to eliminate the blotting and smudge caused by fountain pens. Let’s find out more about it.
What is a ballpoint pen and why is it called so?
The ballpoint pen, also known as a biro or ball pen, dispenses ink through a literal 'ball point,' or a metal ball made of steel, brass, or tungsten carbide. It was created as a cleaner and more reliable alternative to dip and fountain pens. It has had a huge influence on pop culture, becoming a tool for not only smooth writing but also graphic design, doodling, and artwork.
Who created the ballpoint pen and when?
Ladislao José Biro, a Hungarian part-time journalist and painter born into a Jewish household in 1899, invented the ball pen. In 1931, he devised the ball pen to eliminate the blotting and smudge caused by fountain pens. He is credited with inventing the "biro" ball pen. In 1931, he introduced the first ballpoint pen at the Budapest International Fair, and in 1938, he patented the invention in Paris.
What led to the creation of the ballpoint pen in the first place?
While working as a journalist in Hungary, Jose discovered that the ink used in newspaper printing dried quickly, leaving the page dry and smudge-free. He tried using the same ink in a fountain pen, but it was too thick and did not flow into the tip. Thereafter, Biro requested the help of his chemist brother, György Bró, to make ink with the perfect viscosity. The pair gave their name to the invention when they patented it the "Biro" on July 15 1938.
How do ballpoint pens work?
A ballpoint pen's nib is usually constructed of a metal like brass, steel, or tungsten carbide. The ball rotates as it comes into touch with paper or other writing material, picking up a thin layer of ink from the cartridge, which is a pressurised tube. Several countries, notably the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Italy, still refer to the ballpoint pen as the "Biro".
Evolution of ball point pen
Many firms began producing their own ballpoint pen designs, such as Eversharp Co.'s collaboration with Eberhard Faber Co. to licence Birome's rights for sale in the United States. Meanwhile, during a vacation to Argentina, Milton Reynolds, an American entrepreneur, discovered Birome. Later, he purchased its various samples after realising its economic potential. He went to the United States and formed the Reynolds International Pen Company. The company overtook all other competitors and Milton Reynolds even received a patent for it. In fact, on October 29, 1045, the Reynolds Rocket pen caused a market crash when it was sold for around $12.5 each. It was the first commercially successful ballpoint pen, with all 10,000 pieces sold out!