The
earliest writing instrument, similar to the pen, was the brush used
in China in the 1st millennium BC. The early Egyptians used thick reeds
as pens in about 300 BC. Later, in the Seventh century quills were adapted.
They were the first writing utensils that provided writing ease and
control that never existed before. Metallic pen nibs replaced feather
quills in the 19th century. The beginnings of ballpoint pens were being
created in the late 19th century.
The first suitable ballpoint pen was patented by Lazlo Biro, a Hungarian
living in Argentina. His ballpoint pen, commonly called the "biro,"
became popular in Great Britain during the late 1930s, and by the mid-1940s
pens of this type were widely used throughout much of the world.
The writing tip of a ballpoint pen consists of a metal ball, in a socket,
that rotates freely and rolls quick-drying ink onto the writing surface.
The ball is constantly bathed in ink (at the end of the reservoir that
holds the ink) simply by gravity. When the pen is not in use, (the ball
is not moving), it seals the end of the reservoir and prevents the ink
from drying out.
The
earliest writing instrument, similar to the pen, was the brush used
in China in the 1st millennium BC. The early Egyptians used thick reeds
as pens in about 300 BC. Later, in the Seventh century quills were adapted.
They were the first writing utensils that provided writing ease and
control that never existed before. Metallic pen nibs replaced feather
quills in the 19th century. The beginnings of ballpoint pens were being
created in the late 19th century.