7 Comments
User's avatar
Liz's avatar

I absolutely love this article - as a Francophile and pen lover. This is the archetypal French pen, you are 100% right!

Expand full comment
Chris's avatar

Fantastic article.

As a side note, Bich’s daughter Pauline married Philippe Chandon-Möet - two great dynasties combined! The family have a vineyard in St Emilion, Chateau De Ferrand, which is gorgeous, and well worth a visit/overnight stay. There are multiple homages to Bic products throughout. Outside the reception is a witty sculpture of a massive chewed Bic pen top!

https://insidertasting.com/chateau-de-ferrand-a-bigger-picture/

Expand full comment
Emma Carpendale's avatar

I’ve learned so much about the humble Bic pen! I had no idea it was a French invention (also thought it was American).

I always believed this 4-colour ink pen was created for novelty! Had no idea of it’s importance in the French culture.

I had one at school (not for academic purposes, only for the novelty of having an unusual pen in my pencil case) and as an artist I have used the 4-ink ball point pen in my work. The Bic ones are great as they don’t leak and the ball glides over the paper.

Expand full comment
Chris O'Brien's avatar

Amazing! Yes, we tend to take such daily items like this for granted, but the engineering is quite advanced and precise. Like, Apple can outsource the manufacturing of an iPhone, but Bic feels it must control every aspect of production to maintain the quality.

Expand full comment
Emma Carpendale's avatar

Far more precise than I would have ever imagined, I won't look at the pen in the same way!

Expand full comment
Marie Leduc - Making & Meaning's avatar

Great article! Had no idea that Bic is a French company. As an aspiring artist I insisted on having a four colour pen when they were first introduced in Canada. Thanks for filling us in on the backstory

Expand full comment
Chris O'Brien's avatar

Thanks for reading! I'm enjoying hearing the stories of everyone's memories of the pen.

Expand full comment