Ball pen. History of invention and production

Free technical library

HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY, OBJECTS AROUND US
Free library / Directory / The history of technology, technology, objects around us

Ball pen. History of invention and production

The history of technology, technology, objects around us

Directory / The history of technology, technology, objects around us

Comments on the article

A ballpoint pen is a pen that uses a refill (a tube filled with paste-like ink) with a ballpoint pen at the end to write.

The channel through which the ink passes is blocked at the end by a small metal ball, which, when writing, rolls along the surface of the paper, wetted with ink from the back. A small gap between the ball and the walls allows it to rotate and leave a mark on the paper as it rolls. These are the cheapest, simplest and therefore the most common pens.

Ball pen

The ink paste used in ballpoint pens is different from the ink used in fountain pens. It is oil-based and thicker, which prevents it from flowing out of the rod.

The principle of the pen was patented on October 30, 1888 in the USA by John Loud. In subsequent years, various designs of ballpoint pens were invented and patented: May 3, 1904 - by George Parker, in 1916 - by Van Vechten Reisberg.

The modern ballpoint pen was invented by the Hungarian journalist Laszlo Biro (Hungarian Laszlo Jozsef Biro) in 1931 (patented in 1938). In Argentina, where the journalist lived for many years, such pens are called "biromes" after him.

Ball pen
Biro pen advertisement

On the morning of October 29, 1945, thousands of people lined up outside the Gimbels department store in New York. People have been waiting for the store to open to buy, as the New York Times ad described, "a wonderful, fantastic pen guaranteed to last two years without refilling." In a day, the department store sold out its entire inventory - 10 pens at $000 each. So on the wave of success, the ballpoint pen entered history, quickly gaining dominance in the writing instrument market.

The first step towards this was taken in 1888, when the American inventor John Laud received a patent for an ink pen capable of writing "on rough surfaces such as wood, rough wrapping paper, and others" without clinging to the unevenness of the pen. Actually there was no pen - the ink was applied to the surface by a "marking sphere", which was supported by a number of smaller balls. The design was complex, and, apparently, was never implemented. Over the next 40 years, more than 300 patents were issued for such designs, but all of them had serious flaws: ink leaked out, balls clogged ...

In 1938, the journalist Laszlo Biro and his brother George, a chemist who later emigrated to Argentina, were the first to come to the conclusion that a very special ink was required for the ball design: on the one hand, they must dry very quickly on paper, on the other hand, they must not harden on the ball itself, so as not to interfere with its rotation. Laszlo, taking fast-drying printing ink as a model, developed a two-component ink with the help of his brother, consisting of pigment and glycerin, which was quickly absorbed by paper. Thick ink was supplied to the writing unit using a spring-loaded piston and capillary effect.

The Biro brothers pen, produced by their Argentine company Eterpen since 1943, turned out to be quite successful. In 1944, the UK bought a license for its production, where these pens under the Biro brand proved to be excellent in the Royal Air Force (fountain pens constantly leaked at height). Eterpen licensed the design to Eversharp and Eberhard Faber, who were preparing to enter the US market with the Eversharp CA (Capillary Action) pen when businessman Milton Reynolds intervened. He realized the market potential of the pen as soon as he saw it on the table during negotiations with the manager of one of the Chicago department stores in 1945.

In just four months, with the help of engineer William Hurnergart, he redesigned the pen to circumvent Biro's patents (instead of the capillary effect, he proposed a different solution: a thin reservoir open on one side, from where the paste was fed to the ball under the action of gravity), and put it on sale earlier than the official manufacturer did. In less than a year, 2 million Reynolds Rocket pens were sold. Then competitors entered the market, and the "War of ballpoint pens" began - advertising, patent and price.

By 1950, sub-dollar pens flooded the market, and their poor quality even led to the return of "nibs" for a short time. However, in the 1960s, under the onslaught of technological progress, fountain pens still lost their positions, this time for good.

Author: S.Apresov

We recommend interesting articles Section The history of technology, technology, objects around us:

▪ Scanners

▪ bottle machine

▪ Electric razor

See other articles Section The history of technology, technology, objects around us.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Artificial leather for touch emulation 15.04.2024

In a modern technology world where distance is becoming increasingly commonplace, maintaining connection and a sense of closeness is important. Recent developments in artificial skin by German scientists from Saarland University represent a new era in virtual interactions. German researchers from Saarland University have developed ultra-thin films that can transmit the sensation of touch over a distance. This cutting-edge technology provides new opportunities for virtual communication, especially for those who find themselves far from their loved ones. The ultra-thin films developed by the researchers, just 50 micrometers thick, can be integrated into textiles and worn like a second skin. These films act as sensors that recognize tactile signals from mom or dad, and as actuators that transmit these movements to the baby. Parents' touch to the fabric activates sensors that react to pressure and deform the ultra-thin film. This ... >>

Petgugu Global cat litter 15.04.2024

Taking care of pets can often be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping your home clean. A new interesting solution from the Petgugu Global startup has been presented, which will make life easier for cat owners and help them keep their home perfectly clean and tidy. Startup Petgugu Global has unveiled a unique cat toilet that can automatically flush feces, keeping your home clean and fresh. This innovative device is equipped with various smart sensors that monitor your pet's toilet activity and activate to automatically clean after use. The device connects to the sewer system and ensures efficient waste removal without the need for intervention from the owner. Additionally, the toilet has a large flushable storage capacity, making it ideal for multi-cat households. The Petgugu cat litter bowl is designed for use with water-soluble litters and offers a range of additional ... >>

The attractiveness of caring men 14.04.2024

The stereotype that women prefer "bad boys" has long been widespread. However, recent research conducted by British scientists from Monash University offers a new perspective on this issue. They looked at how women responded to men's emotional responsibility and willingness to help others. The study's findings could change our understanding of what makes men attractive to women. A study conducted by scientists from Monash University leads to new findings about men's attractiveness to women. In the experiment, women were shown photographs of men with brief stories about their behavior in various situations, including their reaction to an encounter with a homeless person. Some of the men ignored the homeless man, while others helped him, such as buying him food. A study found that men who showed empathy and kindness were more attractive to women compared to men who showed empathy and kindness. ... >>

Random news from the Archive

solar waste bin 24.09.2012

At intersections and in the yards of many cities in the United States, garbage containers with a solar-powered rammer, which is located on the top cover of the container, have appeared. The energy from a 30-watt battery is stored in the accumulator, and as the container is filled, the automation turns on the press, which develops a force of up to 570 kilograms. Moreover, during the pressing, the reception of waste does not stop.

Due to compression, the container holds five times more garbage than a regular container, so instead of the regular three daily detours of the streets by garbage trucks, they can only be made two to three times a week. In addition, the container itself reports its filling via the cellular telephony network.

Other interesting news:

▪ L'Oreal Colorsonic device for hair coloring

▪ Image Sensor ON Semiconductor AR0221

▪ Flying car

▪ Innovative modular smartphone from Google

▪ Acer XD1520i Wireless Compact Projector

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ site section Electric meters. Article selection

▪ article Ecological factors of technological processes. Fundamentals of safe life

▪ article How did Dostoevsky's real walks around St. Petersburg affect the novel Crime and Punishment? Detailed answer

▪ article Artist-photographer. Job description

▪ article Improving the work of electronic wristwatches. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Adder, adjustable low-pass filter and phase shifter for subwoofer channel on one transistor and op-amp. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews