Accession No.:
2012.217
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Description
Early Biro, Black Bakelite body. The ink carrier of the pen is a long, folded tube of copper which is soldered to the ballpoint unit. All parts of the pen are threaded.Inscription
N/ANotes
Alan ColeThis is an example of the first successful, commercially-produced ballpoint pen that can legally be termed a 'Biro'. It was initially produced by the Miles Martin Aircraft Co (Miles Martin Pen Co) in 1945, under patent no. 573747, for aircrew in the RAF because all previous pens, especially fountain pens, had leaked once aloft due to reduced air pressure. It went on sale to the public in May 1945 for 55 shillings (£2.75, or about £80 in today's money) The ‘ballpoints’ were frequently ball-bearings recycled from crashed Spitfire aircraft.
It is rather confusing to open the Bakelite barrel and remove the ‘cartridge’, as one thread is clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. Although I have often demonstrated this, I still sometimes over-tighten the barrel because I choose the wrong way.
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