The History And Influence Of The Ballpoint Pen

We tend to overlook the objects we use in our daily lives. One of them is the tool we use to write on paper. The world began writing with bird feathers and eventually upgraded to fountain pens. They were extremely convenient with their smooth ink flow and refillable cartridges. However, they were not without limitations. Not only were such exquisite pens difficult to afford, but the ink was also not waterproof. Thus, there came a need to engineer a pen that would glide smoothly on paper and not be smudged with water. This blog discusses the invention and rise of the ballpoint pen that greatly influenced the world.

Who Invented The Ballpoint Pen And When?

The official records tell us that the first ballpoint was invented by Laszlo Jose Biro in 1938. However, another individual called John J. Loud laid its foundation long back in 1888. Loud worked in a leather tanning factory. He faced several difficulties when he tried to mark pieces of leather with a fountain pen or a pencil. While the mark of a pencil was barely visible, the ink from a fountain pen often stained the leather. In his efforts to find an alternative, Loud designed the mechanism of a writing tool that functioned with the help of a metal ball held in place by a socket. The socket made sure that the ball remained attached but also spun around freely and kept supplying ink from the reservoir. It was an excellent invention that aided Loud in marking leather. However, the ink was not appropriate to use on paper.

For several years after, the writing tools that were available frustrated the journalist, Biro. He was initially a medical student, while his brother, Gyorgy, was a dentist. Thus, both of them had a truckload of chemistry knowledge to spare. Biro partnered with his brother to engineer the design and ink of the writing tool that we use today.

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Why Was It Invented?

The most famous works of literature have been composed with a feather quill. For several years, these delicate writing tools have aided every great mind while they put on their thinking cap and recorded their thoughts and ideas on paper. Gradually, innovation gave way to an upgraded writing tool. Fountain pens were also very reliable and are still considered a symbol of excellence and pride. Every time they ran out of ink, their cartridges could be refilled. Thus, they are the perfect combination of form and function.

However, as time progressed, the pace of the world gradually increased. People began to feel the need for a more convenient writing tool to express their thoughts. This is because the ink of the fountain pen took several hours to dry. Moreover, the precision required to write with a fountain pen was something that many lacked. Even feather quills lost their relevance because of the time and effort they required to be cut and shaped. The ink that was being used was also very prone to stain and ruin any paperwork.

Due to his occupation as a journalist, Biro was required to handle a pen and paper quite often. However, the rapid pace of the world led him to utilize the patented design of Loud and experiment with several compositions of ink to invent the ballpoint pen of today.

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How Was A Ballpoint Pen Invented By Laszlo Biro?

In the fast world of journalism, Biro found the available writing tools to be quite inconvenient. The refilling of ink cartridges, having to be careful while using the pens, and writing with precision and skill hampered the quality of his work. According to Gyorgy, the design for the writing tool popped into Biro’s head when he observed children playing with marbles. The convenience of a circular shape led him to repurpose the patented design of Loud and engineer the famous ballpoint pen.

Next, he set out with his brother to make an ink that would not stain and dry quickly. He was inspired by the ink used in printing newspapers that immediately dried. However, the ink was too thick and dense to be contained in a pen. It jammed the system and the ink refused to flow from the nib. They further tried to make a type of ink using a water base which turned out to be too runny and the paper was unable to absorb it. They finally arrived at a breakthrough when they created an oil-based ink. It turned out to be the perfect composition which was not only absorbed by the paper swiftly but it was also very convenient to use. They launched their design of the ballpoint pen with oil-based ink in 1931 and finally received the patent in 1938.

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How Has The Ballpoint Pen Impacted The World?

There was a time when the privilege of writing was only limited to the upper class. However, with the invention of such a convenient writing tool, several people began to purchase the ballpoint pen. This instrument made it possible for people to write anything and in any place. They did not require any skill or practice to compose with a ballpoint pen.

The popularity of this writing instrument also encouraged more people to try their hand at expressing themselves with a pen. This caused a great spike in literacy rates and increased the number of educated people around the world.

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Conclusion

Thus, the ballpoint pen has come a long way. It began as a mere urge to make writing more convenient for people. Through the genius of Laszlo Jose Biro, it took over the world and continues to exert its influence on the way people write.