BIC Cristal
Bic Cristal
- Date
- 1950 · confidence high
- Place
- Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine, France
- Credited to
- Marcel Bich
- Field
- Knowledge & symbols
What it is
Low-cost disposable ballpoint pen mass-produced by Société Bic; its hexagonal, pencil-inspired shape made it the best-selling pen in the world and a recognised design object.
What it led to
- Worldwide standardisation of the cheap disposable ballpoint pen
- Over 100 billion units sold since launch
- Entry into the Museum of Modern Art's permanent collection
- Expansion of the Bic range to different points and 18 colours