The Ballpoint Pen: A Timeless Design Standing Strong Against the Test of Time
In an era where technology develops at lightning speed and consumer preferences shift rapidly, some products have managed to withstand the test of time. Besides everyday items like bowls and cups, one product has retained its original design since its inception: the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen, launched in 1950.
After more than seven decades in the hands of countless generations, the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen continues to be celebrated for its sustainable design and unparalleled reliability that few products can match.
Legendary designed pens – (Photo: Carlos Delgado).
Since its launch to the time of this writing, the pen has adhered to the principle of “simplicity and effectiveness,” creating a lasting impression across multiple generations of pen users. Features like its slender body and cap, along with easily recognizable colors, have become synonymous with quality and dependability.
BIC was founded in 1944 in Paris, just as World War II was nearing its end. During the war, one of BIC’s co-founders, Marcel Bich, witnessed the invention of the ballpoint pen by László Bíró. Bich improved upon the design and began producing his own ballpoint pens under the BIC brand.
Between 1949 and 1950, the iconic BIC Cristal was designed by the Décolletage Plastique team working for BIC. The pen features a six-sided barrel, reminiscent of a pencil design. The barrel is made entirely of transparent plastic, allowing users to easily check the ink level.
Investor and co-founder of BIC, Marcel Bich
Inventor László József Bíró, the father of the ballpoint pen
In 1950, Marcel Bich invested heavily in Swiss technology that allowed the production of metal structures as thin as 0.01 millimeters. Thanks to this new technology, BIC was able to manufacture stainless steel balls with a diameter of just one millimeter.
Bich successfully developed a thick, non-leaking, and non-clogging ink that ensured smooth writing with the BIC pen while providing a satisfying writing experience.
Once the excellent product was achieved, Bich continued to invest heavily in advertising. During its initial market launch, the BIC Cristal was often promoted in France under the name “atomic pen.”
In 1952, Bich hired renowned designer Raymond Savignac to create the legendary poster seen below. The campaign was a huge success and immediately won the Oscar de la publicité award for advertising.
Advertising poster designed by Raymond Savignac – (Photo: BIC)
While pen technology has evolved, with new designs coming and going, the mantra of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” remains true for BIC ballpoint pens. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, the smooth ink flow and “ergonomic” design led consumers globally to shift from fountain pens and ink pens to ballpoint pens. Since then, the BIC Cristal design has remained unchanged, except for improvements in the nib and the addition of new ink colors.
Directly experiencing and understanding the product’s stability, the BIC brand has earned consumers’ trust. In 2006, the BIC Cristal pen was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the best-selling pen in the world after successfully selling its 100 billionth product.
Thanks to its design philosophy that emphasizes simplicity and practicality, BIC has created an optimal writing tool. Lightweight and easy to hold, users of all ages and professions share a seamless writing experience, with ink flowing smoothly from the BIC nib.
The Museum of Modern Art in New York has officially honored the design of the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen as a design of the era and has included this legendary product in its collection.
