Delving deeper into BIC’s historical records and related documentation could unravel further facets of the creator’s persona and the odyssey of the 4-Color Pen’s inception. Unlike blue ink, which fades over time, black continues to make its bold mark on documents across eras. The BIC 4-Color Pen was ingeniously crafted to allow the user to switch between ink colors without the need to swap pens. In 1985, the “BIC Mini lighter” was launched and, in 1991, the company launched the “BIC Electronic” lighter. A point about fountain pens: although you *could* change the ink it was a messy job to get the old ink back in the bottle, and then you would have to flush the pen to remove all traces of the old ink before filling with the new colour.

A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing French Wikipedia article at [[:fr:Bic (entreprise)]]; see its history for attribution. The 4-Color Pen, celebrated for its multifunctional design and longevity, has won the hearts of many across the globe. In September 2006, the Bic Cristal was declared the best selling pen in the world after the 100 billionth was sold.

Do you remember the sheer joy of stumbling upon a pen capable of writing in four vibrant colors instead of just one? Its hexagonal form and design mimics a standard pencil and it is sold in six types of point and 18 colours around the world. For instance, recent collaborations with fashion designers have birthed limited-edition pens boasting distinctive patterns and hues, a big hit among collectors. By 2025, Bic plans on having 100% of its packaging use reusable, recyclable or compostable material. The schoolboy was designed by Raymond Savignac who also developed the product's "Nouvelle Bille" (new ballpoint) advertising campaign, which was intended to attract the attention of children.

An excellent inexpensive option, especially if you are looking for a no-fuss hybrid ballpoint multi pen that has a mechanical pencil option. It has become the archetypal ballpoint pen and is considered ubiquitous, [1] to the extent that the Museum of Modern Art has made it a permanent part of its collection. A multi pen that uses the universal D1 refill will be the easiest and most economical for most people to deal with long-term, especially if you use longer-lasting ballpoint or hybrid ballpoint ink. Key Takeaways The BIC 4-Color Pen was created in 1970 and initially seen as a novelty, but gained popularity for its utility and affordability.

A world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers for more than 75 years, BIC has become one of the world’s most recognized brands and is a trademark registered worldwide.

Although the exact methodology of the pen’s creation isn’t fully disclosed, we know that Marcel Bich’s aspiration for a compact, dependable, and economical pen was the driving force behind the 4-Color Pen. The first multi pen I ever purchased, and the version of Pilot’s Hi-Tec-C pen that I use most often. The Sharbo X is a well-made pen that accepts the universal D1 refill and is available in many different color schemes. D1 multi pens are also the most versatile, providing the option of writing with ballpoint, hybrid ballpoint, gel, and even highlighter ink.

At work, I usually alternate between writing in pen and pencil, and on the pen side I regularly switch colors when I’m annotating documents and taking notes. Sailor’s latest “Imperial Black” pen was another pleasant surprise for me (though I don't know why because my experience with Sailor has generally been good). The 4-Color Pen, with its continual evolution and diversity, effectively caters to the ever-changing demands of its users. Among the eco-friendly products introduced in 2021 as part of the BIC ReVolution product line includes three ballpoint pen products, including one made of 73% recycled ocean plastic, [29] mechanical pencils made of 65% recycled plastic, [30] permanent markers made of 51% recycled plastic, as well as correction tape made of 56% recycled plastic. The thick ink flows down due to capillary action from the tube inside the barrel, to feed the ball bearing, which spins freely within a brass tip.