BIC: The Company Behind the Pen

BIC: The Company Behind the Pen

BIC is a corporation based in France best known for making ballpoint pens. It was founded in 1945 by Baron Marcel Bich and has become known for making disposable consumer products such as lighters, razors, mechanical pencils, and printed paper products.

The Bic Cristal is an inexpensive disposable ballpoint pen mass-produced and sold by BIC. It was first launched in December 1950 and is by far the best selling pen in the world – the 100 billionth was sold in September 2006. It has become the archetypal ballpoint pen.