Coloured SEM of the nib of a ball point pen

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Coloured SEM of the nib of a ball point pen

Nib of a ballpoint pen. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the ball at the nib of a ballpoint pen. The ballpoint pen was invented in 1938 by Hungarian journalist Laszlo Biro. It was adopted by the RAF in 1944 to resolve the problems pilots faced in writing when flying at high altitudes. In 1953 Bich, a French baron, developed a process for producing ballpoint pens at a low cost. We now buy three thousand million of them every year. Magnification: x30 at 6x7cm size. x74 at 8x6ins, x40 at 10x7cm master size

Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations

Media ID 9302425

© POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Biro Common Item Familiar Object Items Objects Ballpoint Pen

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the intricate details of a ballpoint pen's nib, captured through a colored scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM technique reveals the hidden beauty and complexity of this familiar object that we often take for granted. The ballpoint pen, invented in 1938 by Hungarian journalist Laszlo Biro, revolutionized writing instruments with its smooth ink flow and convenience. Its significance was further recognized when it was adopted by the RAF in 1944 to address the challenges faced by pilots while writing at high altitudes. In 1953, a French baron named Bich developed an innovative process that allowed for mass production of ballpoint pens at a low cost. Today, we collectively purchase an astonishing three thousand million of these indispensable tools each year. Through magnification levels ranging from x30 to x74, this image provides us with an up-close look at the nib's structure and design. It serves as a reminder of how even seemingly ordinary objects can possess remarkable intricacy when examined closely. This mesmerizing photograph is courtesy of Science Photo Library and offers us a unique perspective on one of our most commonly used items – the ballpoint pen – inviting us to appreciate both its functional utility and aesthetic appeal.

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