BIC: The Company Behind the Pen
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2017
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➡️ / business_casual
BIC is a corporation based in France best known for making ballpoint pens. It was founded in 1945 by Baron Marcel Bich and has become known for making disposable consumer products such as lighters, razors, mechanical pencils, and printed paper products.
The Bic Cristal is an inexpensive disposable ballpoint pen mass-produced and sold by BIC. It was first launched in December 1950 and is by far the best selling pen in the world - the 100 billionth was sold in September 2006. It has become the archetypal ballpoint pen.
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#Bic #Cristal #History
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between pens and lighters bic must be the most stolen product in the world
Always Good true...
lmao
School kids like to steal shit.
@@Gadget-Walkmen
Not just school kids. At my orientation for my new job they kept the pen caps to discourage the theft of them. And co-workers, family, and friends steal lighters constantly.
Also counterfeited - by someone selling under BIG :/
You gotta give it to Marcel Bich...both the Bic Crystal and the Bic Lighter are classics of industrial design. Timeless, even.
Instead of going to bed early for my first day of school tomorrow. I watched a 10 minute video on the history of the pen
Same rn
I’ve been in school for a week
That's so wholesome and innocent.
@Allô français canadien But it's school...
bro same here school starts tomz for me its 1:15 am and i couldnt stop watching this video
The Bic pen has a great design. Truly, a modern icon. If I'm not mistaken, it's even on display at MOMA in New York.
Countless kids have gone though school with the help of BiC pens. They are durable and cheap. Great product !
epSos.de I'm in my 5th year of college. Haven't found a more reliable pen yet. Can't see using anything else in the professional field.
Good to see that you are getting ahead in education.
The pens from Japan are better, but they also cost 4 or 5 times more.
Look into the Japanese pens, they are really good.
and countless kids have not gone to school with the help of their lighters... lol
Paper mate is not good?
epSos.de pencils > pens
no matter how successful ballpoint pens are, the writing experience of fountain pens is just so nice
For those that need to know. In the 60's BIC pens had metal parts that surrounds the ball instead of the plastic today. As a kid I found you could hammer a BIC pen into a real plaster wall, and it would still work. No doubt one of the most important experiments of the 1960s
BiC is literally the only company that still makes high quality pens that don't jam
@Porsche 911 turbo s yes! I'm using a bic pen right now!
Getting fired over spilling some ink on the paper, damn.
I hope that's sarcasm.
Logic - I hope you're pretending not to know.
@@oxiotle Nah, fountain pens didn't have a breather hole then and were VERY new technology, the ballpoint didn't fare much better at first. A few years later, that would have never happened with any (halfway decent) fountain pen.
@@teaartist6455. The hole at the base of a nibs slit was in fact for stress relief and to stop the nib from splitting past the slits end point. I myself have an extremely early Waterman pen (Post 1884 but Pre-1895) and I would probably say the pen surged because the ink channels on those early feeds are wider and deeper than the Panama Canal. As time got on and inks changed, feed channels got narrower and shallower.
that must have hurt
So if an insurance broker's pen didn't break and spill ink while signing an important contract, we wouldn't have pens?
That just made it considerable earlier than supposed to be. In Industrial era we may made modern pens if it wasn’t existing.
precisely
Potato pretty much! And we should call them BICH! 😁
Potato no, not at all
Bullshit. The true inventor of the fontain pen is Petrache Poenaru...
Here in Cambodia (once a French colony), we refer pen as just "bic". We don't even have other word for pen lol Just know it came from this brand
Wow, fascinating history. At various times in my life I've used the pens, lighters and razors. I never knew the foreign origin of these items.
They are not foreign. They are home-made... Well, at least for me, a hungarian :P
bic brand is associated with cheap but practical products. thats why phones and clothes arent going to work. those are luxury items.
bro ski Fun fact: bic does make a phone.
double fun fact: i know
No, everyone wears clothes and everyone has cellphones and if Bic could follow through with their philosophy of great product for fraction of the cost they would have been successful in those areas, I think their failure was due to the fact that there were already "bic" style companies in those markets that had already cemented their brand name in the space, and for that reason bic probably couldn't compete with prices and quality, or at least compete enough and make it so much cheaper that someone would go with bic over a brand they were already familiar with.
bro ski phones, luxury items??? not today, not today. and anyone wears clotyes wtf
I have a bic phone. i shit you not if i could show you i would. Bought it in alacante spain
I find it a crime that a channel with such quality content has less than a million subscribers
Clemens Wibier which 880000 people should be arrested?
oh shut up man. 1m subs takes time to build up ffs. and the content of this channel takes ages to make so his output is not enough the warrant 1m subs. Like get ur head out of your ass.
Lee Richard
And yet you go full raging youtube cliche with that comment... Like Bravo son. That's some boss level stupidity right there. I think you should take your own advice and NOT read any more. And add to that don't make any more comments. your delicate little girly feelings can't handle the internet.
DAGATHire "like get ur head out of your ass"
Learn to spell ^^
Lmao “how English speakers were pronouncing his last name”
Finally found the comment that I was looking for
I really wish he didn’t change it would have made my school years a lot more fun
if that name had stuck, the "Bic Boy" would be a whole other can of worms
@@aaron9437 yep lol
Marcell Bich was truly a visionary much like Henry Ford. He put the necessary items in the hands of the working class for a fair price. I love what the Bic company stands for.
These videos are so damn good, love them!
Tech Showdown Yes, they really are!
why the heck are you here
I've always wondered why in the UK we call a ballpoint pen a Biro. Now I know.
Great video as always guys thank you for your hard work.
Same in italy, Biro is widely accepted as a word for pen
Puffo Sciamano Birome in Argentina also.
Aiden Aidens same in Libya we call any pen a Biro
Yet we Americans stick with ballpoint like the yokels we are!
Aiden Aidens Then you'll be surprised to learn that Biro (it is written as Bíró) means "judge".
legend say you won't see bic pens ink run dry until the pen itself gone lost. 100% true
Remember a story from somewhere years ago, this accountant kept every empty bic pen he ever wore out, he had like thousands in boxes
Humanity owes a debt to this company. It's contribution to worldwide literacy cannot be underestimated.
from pens, to lighters, even shaving razors, BiC has everything.
Bic makes nearly anything nowadays. Soon there'll be an iBic phone 😂😂😂
There was tho
@VideoToaster
Ik they made Bic phones, but not iBics
@@idk-oe7tk no u dont know. Read ur profile again.
@SSDH
XD
Sambic
Bic ball pens really are my favorite, the only ones that support my cursive handwriting and not to mention cheap!!! Thank-you Sir Biro and Bich, may you rest in peace :)
Amazing journey!!!! Literally, my whole life is being told here through a pen. I'm south Africa this is all we know, BIC. people have been stabbed with it, we've written walls & desks with it, love letters etc.. I love this video. I'll share it.
Who are these people that gave a thumbs down...??
Y'all are telling me that the pen I use to write in school has been left almost unchanged for 67 years? That's crazy. Thank you Mr. Bich.
I was really impressed by the accurate map of 1938, you really did your research.
Their lighters are insanely good. Have bic minis all over, in my car, in my backpack, a few of them lying around in the home. They are sooo good
It's *incredible* how a few men made in so little time, something I always assumed was always around.
Like I literally never imagined the post-Voltaire world without ballpoints
"As a lifetime watersports enthusiast" Oh, I wouldn't have thought a man like him would like that
I think the British East India Company would make an interesting video.
Shh the Dutch East India company had nothing on the British East India company.
+Oscar Brigden
They both raped and pillaged India. Imagine if Indians invaded Netherlands or UK and enslaved those people and made the people work for them and raped the women and create wars? If that happened then Netherlands and UK would be a 3rd world country.
Every country white people invaded have become 3rd world countries.
+Dj Ruccy To be fair Australia didn't
+Challenger Z in that same vein of thought I'd like to see this channel cover Tropicana and banana republics
+Dj Ruccy they were 3rd world countries when they invaded them and when they left them
One of the best channels to improve G.K! Love your content and explanation! Keep up!
Wow!!!!
i have never seen a better video that tells us about history with such a beautiful visual narrative and perfect speed and calm (but not boring ) voice. this video peaked my interest for learning history even more.
For once, my username is moderately relevant
213bic forgot the h, bich. :P
213bic look at mine bich
Best comment Ive ever seen
hahahah :D
Yo, MR.BIC.
i lit a cigarette with a bic lighter while watching this. i love how i bought this lighter almost 3 months ago for about $1.50 i think, at its still working perfect and looks the exact same as the lighters from the 70s.
butane is a known carcinogen. heh-heh
I have a lighter that I purchased before I gave up smoking in 2005. And it's still working. I use it to light our fire in the house now.
Bro quite smoking and start vaping
@@THEBIGMEOW do none of that, why can't you be normal?
BICH 😂😂😂. I can only imagine how the english pronounced it
Add a T😂😂👌
Imagine if he hasnt changed it lol
Hims D Lee That’s Just rude.
i pronounced it as bitch
Yeah same 😂😂😂😂😂
Bic was ubiquitous in my elementary school days. His successor would best serve Mr. Marcel's legacy by keeping simplicity the core of his business. Love these business stories! Keep them coming!
Great video! Please do LG next.
Meme Suppository yes
grrr 。 s
and HTC
fascinating subject and a well told too. Thx for this episode.
Very good video I love the details of every map changes with different years, thanks for the nice work.
I love BIC. Smooth, small, and simple. The greatest pen that works whenever you need it.
i dont know why but his accent is really calm and pleasing
Keep going
bic perfume... what were they thinking?!
Dux Ducis Hodiernus imagine if they used their older company name
I think the clothing line was an even crazier idea
I know right? Who would think that selling garbage ass perfume, and cologne would make money. .. . . who do they think they are , AXE?
Jose Arvizu yes, for a company who makes simple stuff
My grandma (rest her soul) worked at Bic for decades so I was curious about Bic so thanks for this.
I was born in 1960, the word Bic is generic for Pen. As a kid growing up my school supplies always included a package of Bic pens and Adirondack No. 2 pencils and a rubber eraser! Ready to rock👍. Through college and in my office a multi pack of Bic pens are always in the office supplies. Have several on my desk right now!!!
Reliable with an excellent smooth flow only found in much more expensive pens like a Mont Blanc.
Sup Bich
sup bic
so wrong lol
Aw, for fuque sake monsieur, drop ze ech.
The trifecta remains as such because you always shave before you sign your life away and a smoke is always welcomed after.
Hahahahahahahahhahaha, holy shit this is the greatest comment on the fuking website
Wow, so much research must have gone into this, very impressive!
Those old Bic print ads were so good, thanks for showing them to me
thank you for the valuable information .
They should have made condoms
LOL
I've got a bic dick
go bic or go home
Bic Dic Condoms.
In fact, this is an ingenuous idea and someone from Bic should seriously see and consider the suggestion,
First time in my life I have subscribed and like and commitment at the same time. This video is very informative and well made:)
These videos are great man keep up the good work
I'm surprised my BiC lighter from 2 years ago still usable till this day.
Mackenzie Ryne Bagtong have you ever used one from store till empty? Or do you always lose it before then??? 🤔
@@nokiot9 Yes. I bought 1 from the local store near me and no, I don't lose a lighter. I use my lighter only for emergency purposes. (And also, I don't smoke.)
There is one in my grandfathers workbench that still works after at least 6 years
Oh and I bought other lighters once and they leaked after the first usage empty in one week
I wish I had a beautiful handwriting. Writing is so relaxing
Grab a cheap Jinhao fountain pen off Amazon and you'll see what an enjoyable writing experience Bic has been keeping from you.
RustySeatbelt I agree so much, most people hate writing because they use cheap ballpoints. A good fountain pen will completely change the writing experience for the better.
Soo true
Take note of the Biro logo at 2:47. The O is clearly Bic-boy's head! The opaque "round stic" version of Bic's basic ballpoint used to be called Biro on the barrel when I was a child. I think the name change was in the late 80s or so.
Loved the video, I didn't expect it to be this good!
The main reason why the Bic Pens, Lighters, and Razors are still their top selling products is cause of how cheap and widely available they are. Also you're forgetting about the Bic Pencils and Bic mechanical pencils.
Perfectly simple all it cost him was 2m. Brilliant video well appreciated.
soooo much information that would take me hours to research and google. Good vid
what an awesome video!!
was fun and informative to watch
For around five years in the mid 90's I "collected" more than 1000 Bic pens from a single work colleague, we both worked at a factory and he was my counter part on day shift, he was an annoying pedantic little man and to match this I stole his pens at every opportunity, it was comforting hearing him bitch about how everyone kept nicking his pens, I kept them in my locker, the day I left, I placed them all in his draw. I would probably have paid to see his reaction...
vizionthing hahaha
Just bought Bic razors to find this video recommendation 🤤
There always listening
@@skratchforce9785 you Sr. are correct!
Skratch Force they’re*
I guess you didn't fancy the new gillette commercials.
@@ReasonAboveEverything no one did.
All of your latest videos are really good! 👊
I'm really new to this channel as in just 10 mins ago and subscribed right away. The video are well made.
Bic- the company that produces products that are stolen en mass who's iconic image for the company is a klepto stealing a pen.
sounds like Apple
I am holding a BIC pen write now.
hey thats my pen! just kidding
And im holding a Vic lighter right now
BAGUETTE PENCIL AH AH
These videos are so good, love them!!!!
I love this channel. Great tidbits of info and time passer
Do Siemens or Bosch please?
Svenska System Bollaget !
G'Day From Australia !
This company is a really BIC deal!!
This channel is a youtube gem
I am a huge supporter of Bic pens,pencils,and razors.Bic are the only pens and pencils that I use.
In Rwanda we call anything that can write on a paper bic.
I know that feeling. In my country everyone calls the razors bic. Even if it''s a Gillette
In portugal every plasatic box is called a tupperware even if it is not from that brand
In greece we call every band aid
Hansaplast
Waooo.
@@afonsomarto6587o mesmo no brasil , tupperware
While studying in England during the 60's, we used to call a ball point pen, Biro.
Jamilul Huq wow! you must've seen many generations paas by :)
Some people still call it a biro mainly because of the pen company bero
the term biro is still in use in Australia
I am 60 and refer to a biro, well, as a biro in fact.
@@toanaldino And New Zealand. everyone knows what a biro is...
Thanks for this research and video.. appreciate it !
Fascinating, thanks for sharing!
Has anyone ever used a Bic pen from new, until it runs out? I end up breaking them. Or they und up in my washing machine.
Only when I was in my mid 30’s. Before, I used to chew them.
@Kadosa Tóth For some reason unknown to man. I can't seem to properly check my pockets.
Kadosa Tóth left it in his pocket dummy
I use them drawing
I always do. Because I write so much at school
I love that your accent replaces every t with a z 😁😂👏🏼
Edit: I'm not making fun of his accent, I like it a lot, I'm complimenting it, but I know it's kinda vague
Countless joints were lit with BIC lighters, they will forever hold a place in my heart.
Thank you so much for this video I love bic pens so much
I'm Argentinean and the fact that Pedro Justo's story with the pen isn't told at school is just depressing, since everyone in the class uses bic
Most Aussies call ball-point pen “biro” to this day
Most Nigerians call every pen "Biro"
Amazing content ! Thank you
What a lovely story. Thank you
I personally like the fountain pen
Maco I agree
They're great if you wanna feel rich, but I much prefer the fact that ball-point pens don't soak a paper if you hold them for too long at a single point. Also schools and exam boards that rely on digital scanning pretty much bans the use of fountain pens for exams.
My first razer was a bic razer... ☺️
My first Razer was a kraken 7.1
Bic is my pen of choice - whether it is ball point, highlighter and - yes! I was surprised and delighted to know they do disposable fountain pens, which I have used and they are great.
Thanks for all this plastic in nature !
Laszlo Biro invented the ballpoint pen and the concept was patented and licensed.
It was also *stolen* by a number of companies, including Bich, who claimed a new patent on the design.
Didnt the narrator said he bought the license 2 million USD?
In a free market, when you make a design improvement you then own the rights for that new design. Even if it's only a minute variation the new design is yours to make whatever profit you can.
@@2fas4me2 It's still theft of a core principle. Patents have to prove a notable and distinct change over the original.
@@theaskingman A licence, not the rights.
@@TryptychUK to be sure please watch the video. I hace checked. Bic bought the patent usd 2 million. End of discussion
amazing and barely any significant innovations have been made regarding all those products
Actually, the mass manufacture of the pens is a massive leap in technology.
The tolerances of the ball and tube are an order of magnitude greater than what was standard at the time. Even modern CNC machinery does not hold to these standards in your typical machines.
Next to microchips, I do not think there is anything else mass manufactured at suck close tolerances.
they've been able to mass produce for a long time no real innovation in what they produce, lots of waste and the illusion of choice and variety to make money that's all. bic only sells because of it's ubiquity as a brand not impressive at all considering the waste plastic that comes from these products
@@monhuntui1162 NPC Alert!
@@joshua43214 keep licking them boots they'll kick your teeth in soon enough
Truly a video for everything here
I use dip pens whenever I can. I'm holding one right now. The inconvenience of wetting a nib is worth the benefit of being able to create beautiful scripts, have more flexibility when drawing & sketching, and be able to switch between an incredible variety of rich colors at a whim by washing the tip. They just feel better too.
They should be at the forefront of the recycling technologies effort considering the percentage of their product that ends up floating around in the worlds seas and especially considering how lucrative these same products have been for the companies bottom line for over half a century. Cheers
Now, in 2019 I try to buy Bic pens and there isn't in stores in my
neighborhood :(
Booooo...
Péter Jenei just order quality fountain pens online. They’re infinitely better, no pressure to write, better build quality and can be refilled meaning it will last longer than we all will.
Péter Jenei if you’re in America, use either Goulet pens or Goldspot pens
If you’re in Britain, use Cult pens, Hamilton pens or Pure pens
If you are in Europe, cult pens has free international shipping most of the time but best to look around as I’m not so sure of these places, the same with Asia.
We have Reynolds !
What a businessman that Marcel guy is
Best channel ever. Hands down!
Why don't you tell that the Fountain Pen was invented by that Romanian guy "Poenaru" or how .. Jezz
Petrache Poenaru In 1826 he went to France and attended the École Polytechnique in Paris, where he studied geodesy and surveying. He was so busy taking notes and copying courses, that he invented a fountain pen that used a swan's quill as an ink reservoir. On 25 May 1827, the Manufacture Department of the French Ministry of the Interior registered Poenaru’s invention with the code number 3208 and the description ”plume portable sans fin, qui s’alimente elle-meme avec de l’ancre" ("never-ending portable pen, which recharges itself with ink").
@Allô français canadien no
@@Bastanu-qj2ll The first (English) patent for a fountain pen was issued in May 1809 to Frederick Fölsch - much earlier than Poenaru :)
beards are trendy, things are going digital, smoking is becoming shunned. they're probably getting spooked, which explains the constant ventures
RolandMcGruner you need a razor to style your beard, if there's going to be less pen use, then the cheapest and reliable alternative will remain, yeah cigs are a big market for lighters but they do have many other uses
RolandMcGruner uh dude weed hello come on get real jeez Louise
RolandMcGruner don't they also manufacture lighters for lighting candles or fires? And demand for razors will never stop.
Smoking is still commonplace across Asia.
RolandMcGruner Boi don't you know girls need their legs to be buttery smooth?
Thanks for great information