Marcel Bich

Marcel Bich (Turin, Italy, 29 July 1914 - Paris, France, 30 May 1994) was the co-founder of Bic, the world's leading producer of ballpoint pens.

History

In 1945, Bich and his partner, Edouard Buffard, bought an empty factory near Paris, France. Bich’s knowledge of the writing instrument trade, gained while working as a production manager for an ink maker, had them starting with production of fountain pen parts and mechanical lead pencils. In 1950, Bich purchased the patent for the ballpoint pen from Hungarian László Bíró who had been producing such pens since 1943 in Argentina.

The company formed by Bich still exists as the Société Bic Group and is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange.

Baron Bich was a keen sailor. He funded four campaigns to compete in the trials to select a challenger for the America's Cup in 1970, 1974, 1977 and 1980. He was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1998.

References

• BIC Corporate History