EOTO1 Technology Reaction: The Ball Point Pen Blog #7

The Ballpoint pen, a writing tool relied upon by millions worldwide, has a surprisingly long history that dates back to over a century. An article on BBC, "The Cheap Pen that Changed Writing Forever," claims that American man, John J Loud, was the initial creator of the Ballpoint pen. Before this, ink and quill were the primary method of composing literature. In 1888, Loud introduced the idea of a writing utensil that would be able to make a mark on rougher surfaces, but more as an efficient way to write, far simpler, and faster. 

A close-up of the Ballpoint Pen

The mechanics of the pen are quite simple and only involve simple internal structures. According to a reading from Goldspot, "The Ballpoint Mechanisms," the pen contains 3 major components: the barrel, the ink, and the cartridge. The barrel holds the components of the pen, while the cartridge stores the ink. While using the pen, the ink shifts from the inside of the pen to the exterior (a given surface) with the movement of a miniature ball at the tip of the pen. The force of gravity pulls the ink down to the exterior side. 

The invention of the Ballpoint pen was strategic in light of its effectiveness. The pen itself was easy to design, easy to manufacture, and cost-efficient. Aside from a business point of view, the pen is easy for users as well. They are clean and fail to make a mess like ink can, they are disposable, easily accessible, and long-lastingly convenient. Along with Loud's invention, came new possibilities for communication. Pens aid us in all regards of literature, and help us to communicate what cannot be told through verbal mannerisms. Now it is possible to say this about the Ink and Quil method as well, however, the Ballpoint pen made it far simpler to write from any location with only the use of one plastic tool rather than several utensils at a time. 

However, for as brilliant as they are, Ballpoint pens do induce environmental threats. In 2024, the global waste accumulation is exceeding faster than we can maintain. A brief statistics chart provided by Statista shows a chart depicting the rapid rate of waste production ranging from the 80s to the current day. The rising numbers are substantial, and some worry whether simple devices like the Ballpoint pen (plastics) can further contribute to this ecological danger. The average pen is made of plastic, a major source of our waste. It is worth considering just how much this writing utensil realistically plays a role in trash production. 

Increase in various waste producers over the last 40 years

For what seems like an insignificant invention, the Ballpoint pen has proved its worth as it remains a commonly-used product over a century later.