How the hole on the end of a Bic pen cap could save your life

The Bic pen is, although many may not believe it, a revolutionary invention and, above all, an efficient product that, since 1943, has barely changed its original design.

The body of the bic pen is made of plastic and has small holes. Inside, there is the tube with the ink and, at the tip, a plastic microball. The cap, which protects the pen tip, completes the components of this simple and, at the same time, complicated mechanism.

The only thing that has changed in the design of this innovative pen since its creation is the hole in the cap, which, before 1993, was not there. There are two reasons for this innovation.

Photo: Instagram - @bic_group

The first and most important thing is to save lives. Many people put the pen cap in their mouth, and eventually swallow it by mistake.

Photo: Freepik

With the hole added to the lid, in the event of choking, the manufacturer guarantees minimal air entry, thus avoiding the risk of suffocation.

Photo: Instagram - @bic_group

Yes, everyone thinks you have to be very clumsy to swallow the cap of a Bic pen, but it happens very often!

Photo: Instagram - @bic_group

The other reason for the existence of the hole in the pen lid is related to pressure.

When there is a large change in pressure, for example when a plane takes off, the opening at the tip of the cap helps balance the pressure inside the pen with the pressure outside.

Photo: Pexels - Kelly

Basically, the hole allows air to escape so that the pen doesn't explode and splatter ink everywhere.

In fact, the company itself, on its website, explains this second use of the hole, unknown to most users.

And finally, a fun fact about the Bic pen used all over the world: its ink was designed to write the equivalent of a distance of three kilometers or 1.86 miles!