Origins
The concept of using a "ball point" within a writing instrument to apply ink to paper has existed since the … See more

It is generally believed that gravity is needed to coat the ball with ink. In fact most ballpoint pens on the Earth do not work when writing upside-down because the Earth's gravity … See more

The common ballpoint pen is a product of mass production, with components produced separately on assembly lines. Basic steps in the manufacturing process include the production of ink formulas, molding of metal and plastic components, and assembly. See more

Ballpoint pen ink is normally a paste containing around 25 to 40 percent dye. The dyes are suspended in a mixture of solvents and fatty acids. The most common of the … See more

Ballpoint pens are produced in both disposable and refillable models. Refills allow for the entire internal ink reservoir, including a ballpoint and socket, to be replaced. Such characteristics are usually associated with designer-type pens or those constructed … See more

The ballpoint pen has proven to be a versatile art medium for both professional artists and amateur doodlers. Low cost, availability, and portability are cited by practitioners as qualities which make this common writing tool a convenient art supply. Some … See more

The International Organization for Standardization has published standards for ball point and roller ball pens:
ISO 12756 1998: Drawing and writing instruments – Ball point pens – Vocabulary ISO 12757-1 1998: Ball point pens and refills – Part 1: … See more