BIC Cristal Soft ballpoint pen

BIC is one of the most recognized brands globally, famous for its iconic Cristal ballpoint pen. Founded in France in 1944 by Marcel Bich and Édouard Buffard, the company revolutionized writing with mass-produced, reliable, and affordable pens. The 'Cristal Soft' variant shown in the image is a modern evolution of the original design, featuring a smoother ink flow system.

While the brand is deeply rooted in French industrial history, its manufacturing operations are worldwide. BIC operates numerous production facilities across France, Brazil, Mexico, and Tunisia to meet global demand. The brand remains under the control of the Bich family through the publicly traded Société BIC, maintaining its status as a leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers.