Oct 6, 2023
Pens date back to ancient civilisations like Egypt and Rome. The first recorded use of a pen-like instrument was around 3000 BCE in Egypt, where scribes used reed pens to write on papyrus.
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The modern ballpoint pen, as we know it today, was patented in 1938 by László Bíró, a Hungarian-Argentinian journalist. His invention revolutionised writing, offering a smoother and more reliable alternative to fountain pens.
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NASA spent millions developing a pen that could write in zero gravity, while the Soviet Union simply used pencils. The 'space pen' myth has been debunked; both nations eventually adopted the Fisher Space Pen.
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The Bic Cristal ballpoint pen, introduced in 1950, has sold over 100 billion units worldwide. Its iconic hexagonal design and affordability have made it a global favourite.
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The Aurora Diamante fountain pen holds the title of the world's most expensive pen, priced at a staggering $1.3 million. It's adorned with 30 carats of diamonds.
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There are various types of pen ink, including ballpoint, rollerball, gel, and fountain pen inks. Each offers a unique writing experience, from smooth to bold.
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Erasable ink pens, like the Pilot FriXion, use heat-sensitive ink that disappears when friction is applied. They're a game-changer for mistake-prone writers.
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Despite popular belief, NASA did not spend a fortune developing a pen for astronauts. American astronaut Paul Fisher independently invented the Fisher Space Pen, which both NASA and the Soviet space program later adopted.
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The world's largest ballpoint pen, built in 2011 by Acharya Makunuri Srinivasa, measures a whopping 5.5 metres and weighs over 37 kilograms.
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There's a dedicated community of pen enthusiasts known as 'pen collectors' or 'penophiles.' They seek out rare and vintage pens, and some collections are worth thousands of dollars.
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