While it’s not as common today as it once was (or at least that’s how it seems in the typical American office), it’s an iconic pen that still holds an important place in the history of writing instruments. For the full history of ballpoint pens, read out article on who invented the modern ballpoint pen.

As I mentioned, the 1.0mm medium point will probably give you the smoothest writing experience, and is generally my recommended starting point. For editing and annotation (or if you just write really small), the “Xtra Precision” needle-tip pens are fantastic. If you write large, there's even an "Xtra Bold" 1.6mm version, though I've not tried them. The history of BIC begins after World War II, in the suburbs of Paris (France), where Marcel Bich started manufacturing spare parts for fountain pens. The sky is the limit with these BodyMark ®temporary tattoo markers!Maybe you just want to draw or write something on your skin?

Tip & Ballpoint

a b c Lemon, Michael (28 April 2015). "Bic Cristal Pens | The World's Most Popular Pen". OSU.EDU. Ohio State University . Retrieved 26 March 2017. Bich invested heavily in advertising, hiring poster designer Raymond Savignac in 1952. That year Bic won the French Oscar de la publicité award for advertising. [2] In 1953 advertising executive Pierre Guichenné advised Bich to shorten his family name to Bic as an easy-to-remember, globally adaptable trade name for the pen, which fit in with product branding trends of the post-war era. [5] Early Bic advertisements in France referred to the Cristal as the "Atomic pen". [6] Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the Bic Cristal's writing tip and ergonomic design helped shift the worldwide market for pens from fountain pens to ballpoints. It is also design object that can be found at the Museum of Modern Art (NEw York) and at the Centre George Pompidou in Paris. Smith, David (14 June 2008). "It's 70 today, but our favourite pen just keeps rolling along". The Guardian. A Book for Her by Bridget Christie review – a hybrid of writing and performance". the Guardian. 20 July 2015 . Retrieved 4 June 2021.

In September 2006, the Bic Cristal was declared the best selling pen in the world after the 100 billionth was sold. [9] Design [ edit ] Four Bic Cristal pens and additional caps a b "Humble Masterpieces" (PDF). New York: The Museum of Modern Art. 27 September 2004 . Retrieved 13 March 2017.Product Name Bic Cristal Designer Marcel Bich and Edouard Buffard Company Bic Country France Year made 1950 Materials - Clear polystyrene casing

a b c d Fletcher, Alan, ed. (2006). Phaidon Design Classics – Volume 2 (1. publ.ed.). London: Phaidon Press. ISBN 0-7148-4399-7. Another variant on the Bic Cristal is the Celebration, which are shiny gold and silver Bic Cristal pens. They might look metallic because of the glossy finish but they are plastic. Design influences our lives and can be found in every aspect of our day. Discover more inspiring and unique design objects.

Complete your stationery set with BIC ballpoint pens, gel pens, and Tipp-ex erasers, for the ultimate in comfort and finish. Hauser, Christine; Anderson, Christina (21 April 2017). "At This Museum, Failures Are Welcome". The New York Times. The Cristal ReNew included two refills that appear to be standard Cristal refills, which are identical to the B3 refill standard. They don’t seem to be sold separately yet but presumably they will be sold independently of the pen.