This is awesome: Researchers at the University of Reading are studying a wide assortment of ballpoint pens available in the UK to determine how they perform and why. [Read more…]
Why a Pen is a ‘Biro’ in the UK
For our American readers, a pen is usually just a pen. But those of you in the UK know that cheap ballpoints are often referred to as “biros.” If you’ve ever wondered about the reason for that, it’s this:
The first ballpoint pen, utilizing a steel ball bearing held in place by a socket, was developed in the late 19th century by a man named John Loud. Unfortunately, his invention didn’t work too well on paper and was used mainly for marking leather, according to a report from the BBC. [Read more…]
Ballpoint, Rollerball, or Gel: Which Pen is Best for You?
With so many choices of pens out there today it can easily get a bit confusing – do I need a ballpoint, gel or a rollerball pen?
Having such a wide choice to choose from though isn’t a bad thing as it gives you plenty of options when looking for a pen to fit your needs. One of the questions that we are most often asked is what is the difference between these pens and how does this affect how they write? [Read more…]