National ballpoint pen day: The incredible rise of BIC and its global legacy

Starting from humble beginnings, BIC, co-founded by Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard in France in 1944, has grown to be an iconic brand in the world of stationary and beyond, in large part thanks to the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen.

The key to BIC’s global success

Ballpoint pens, invited by Hungarian László Biró, already existed by 1950, the year BIC released its “new and improved” BIC Cristal version, which has remained mostly unchanged since its initial launch and is the world’s best-selling pen.

The creation of the BIC Cristal ballpoint pen sparked global domination for a company that hadn’t ventured outside its native France in the first six years of its existence.

Expansion to neighbouring Belgium came the following year, and by the start of the 1960s, BIC had become a household name throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Africa and the Middle East, and North America too. In 1958, the company purchased the Waterman Pen Company, establishing its foothold in the United States.

The boom was based partly on the simplicity and effectiveness of the mass-produced BIC Cristal ballpoint pen, but also successful marketing campaigns.

In 1952, BIC won the “Oscar de la publicité” (a type of French advertising Oscar) and in 1960 the BIC Boy character was created, as was the company’s official orange logo, which has also remained the same.

BIC expands into new markets...and museums

Not that BIC hasn’t evolved. Far from it.

In addition to being listed on the Paris stock exchange in 1972 and the inevitable release of a whole host of new pens, including the iconic 4-color pen and the BIC Evolution, a graphite and coloring pencil made with recycled materials, it has also ventured into new markets, both through its own productions and the acquisition of other companies, including the purchase of American correction product brand Wite-Out.

As a result, you can now buy BIC lighters, razors, brushes and even water sports products. And if you happen to visit the Department of Architecture and Design of the Museum of Modern Art of New York (MoMA) or the Musée National d’Art Moderne (National Museum of Modern Art) in Paris, you’ll find permanent collections dedicated to BIC.

Today, BIC stands as a rare example of a brand that has remained both relevant and recognizable across generations and continents. Its products are often taken for granted - found in classrooms, offices and homes the world over - but their design and functionality continue to earn admiration from both consumers and critics alike.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.