BIC 4-Color ballpoint pen

The BIC 4-Color Ballpoint Pen is an iconic piece of stationery that has remained a global staple since its introduction in 1970. Designed by the French company BIC, the pen features a distinctive mechanism that allows users to toggle between four different ink colors—typically blue, black, red, and green—within a single barrel. This specific model features a custom imprint for 'tcs-vd.ch', indicating it was used as a promotional item for the Touring Club Suisse section in Vaud, Switzerland.

BIC was founded by Marcel Bich in France and became world-famous for popularizing the disposable ballpoint pen. The 4-Color model is a prime example of the brand's focus on functional, long-lasting, and affordable design. Today, BIC remains one of the most recognized brands in the world, with headquarters still located in Clichy, France.

Manufacturing for BIC stationery products occurs globally to serve different regional markets, though the high-precision 4-Color pens are famously produced in large quantities at the company's specialized facilities in France. The company continues to be publicly traded on the Euronext Paris exchange and is still heavily influenced by the founding Bich family.