Cheap plastic and a relatively economic process known as injection molding meant ballpoint models could be produced in mass and sold for less than ¢30. It's a USP (unique selling point) that, like its unchanging aesthetic, has proved constantly popular over the years.

1950 - BIRTH OF BIC® CRISTAL® Marcel Bich, believing in the potential for the ballpoint pen, adapts and improves the ballpoint invented by the Hungarian László Biró, and in December 1950, launches his own ballpoint pen in France under the BIC® brand, a shortened and more memorable version of his own name.

Generally, ballpoint and rollerball pens last for about four years, and fountain pen ink lasts even longer when they're used occasionally. Fineliner pen refills, on the other hand, will last between two and four years, depending on environmental factors and storage.

France Manufactured in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France, the world's favourite pen reached a landmark in 2006 when sales reached 1 billion. Launched in 1950, the bic ballpoint pen is hexagonal shaped and its design mimics a standard pencil and is sold in 6 point sizes and 18 colours around the world.

Société Bic S.A., commonly called Bic and stylized as BiC, is a French manufacturing corporation based in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine. It sells a world-leading brand of lighters and pens since its founding by Marcel Bich (1914–1994) in 1945, and a competitive amount of shaving goods.

Little pressure is needed, the ink always flows freely and smoothly, and the barrel of the pen, which is hexagonal, feels nice between your fingers.

The earliest known form of writing using a 'pen' began in Ancient Egypt where reed pens were created to write on papyrus. Ancient Egyptians first used reed styluses to carve hieroglyphs into tablets made from clay similar to the Sumerians.

The new monarch was shown signing a visitor's book in front of cameras at Hillsborough Castle, near Belfast. He reacted after the pen he was using leaked on him. “Oh god I hate this (pen)!” Charles said, standing up and handing the pen to his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort.

Do pens expire? In general, fountain pens don't expire, though some manufacturers give an expiration date to the ink, which can last for decades if stored properly. However, ballpoint and rollerball ink does dry out after four years if you don't use it up.

Société Bic S.A., commonly called Bic and stylized as BiC, is a French manufacturing corporation based in Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine.

Bic Cristal pens are more expensive, better looking, slightly shorter, easier to store and transport - they easily fit in pen-holes of flapped pockets - and give you a clearer view of ink left over. However, they tend to leak more. Also, they seem to run out of ink faster.

In December, 1950, Marcel Bich launched his own ballpoint pen, BIC Cristal, under the BIC brand in France - an innovation that proved immediately popular and successful. The non-retractable ballpoint pen's simple design, sold at 19 cents, made it a reliable and affordable purchase.