In today’s day and age, the average person has at least five ballpoint pens in their homes at all times. In reality, the majority owns a lot more, as these items are indispensable and always necessary. Thus, you probably have a few on your desk, some in your bag or purse, and just a few lying around just about everywhere else.
But despite the indisputable popularity that branded pens enjoy, not many people know much about their history. What about you? Have you ever wondered where ballpoint pens came from and who invented them?
Well, if you’ve never given these promotional items a lot of thought while using them, fear not. We are here to provide you with an overview of their history, from their humble beginnings to the days of their glory. Read on!
The First Ballpoint Pen
The first ballpoint pen was produced in 1938 by Ladislao José Biro, a Hungarian-Argentine inventor. At the time, his invention was hailed as a true miracle. Up until then, people were still using liquid ink to write, meaning they had to wait for the ink to dry before they could continue writing.
However, Biro’s pen was different. The quick-drying mechanism ensured that writing things down was more efficient than ever. In addition, the ink was actually inside the pen itself, making everything infinitely less messy. What’s more, his pen could also be refilled, meaning that people could use the same one for years.
Needless to say, Biro’s ballpoint pen truly changed the world during the 1930s. He sold his patent to different countries, and people all around the world began queueing up to buy their first ballpoint pen.
At that point, the pen cost a sum that is somewhere around £125 in today’s money. Thus, only those who were better off could afford it. But with time, factories started mass-producing the items, bringing the price down. Nowadays, you can buy a pen for less than a pound.
The Effects
It is not an exaggeration to say that Biro’s work revolutionised writing. Suddenly, a lot more people could learn to write and have a useful tool at hand whenever they needed it. Thus, literacy became much more accessible.
Furthermore, writing also became more efficient. There was no need to have an inkpot and pen nearby to write something down. What’s more, you could carry the pen anywhere in your pocket, which hadn’t been that easy before.
In short, Biro proved how even such a small item could bring about great change. Almost a century later, his invention is still successful, and its popularity doesn’t show signs of slowing down.
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Make Pens Work for You
If you are a business owner, you can easily make pens work for you by personalising them. They make excellent corporate gifts to customers and employees, and they will help you stand out at any event.
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Check out our full collection of advertising pens which includes metal pens, plastic pens, pen gift sets, and unusual pens. Give us a call at 0800 0148 970 or simply email us today, and we will help you pick out your ballpen to match your style and vision. With our help, you can have your most successful promo campaign yet!
