The Idea!In 1938, while working as a journalist, Hungarian Ladislao José Bíró noticed that the ink used in newspaper printing dried quickly, leaving the paper dry and smudge-free. He tried using the same ink in a fountain pen because it is a great idea to use ink that dries quickly, resulting in smudge-free handwriting.
The Problem?
However, Bíró found that the ink would not flow into the nib, as it was too viscous (thick).
The Solution.
Working with his brother Georg, a chemist, Bíró developed a new tip consisting of a ball that was free to turn in a socket, and as it turned it would pick up the ink from a cartridge and then roll to deposit it on the paper. He patented the invention in Paris in the same year.
The Legacy...
In 1950 Marcel Bich bought from Bíró the patent for the pen, which soon became the main product of his Bic company (which is still around). Ballpoint pens are still widely referred to as a biro in many European countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Argentina's Inventor's Day is celebrated on Bíró's birthday, September 29. A fitting honour indeed. (:
Most importantly, millions of students and teachers use ballpoint pens in schools all over the world!
Source:
What You Have To Do
Before the end of Term 4 Week 2 (17 - 23 September), you should complete the following tasks:
1. Make sure that you complete at least 5 of the 8 blogging tasks (including Point 2 of this entry) I have assigned through the entries published on this blog so far. In addition, please be informed that PW groups without blogs will be automatically awarded the Below Expectations (BE) grade. That is the equivalent of a D7, a grade that indicates failure. The BE grade will also be awarded to groups with blogs that comprise just one or very few entries.
Generally speaking, to considered for the Meeting Expectations (ME) grade, a PW blog should have published more than half the number of expected entries. An expected entry is one that a PW group composes and publishes in response to a blogging task (for example, Point 2).
2. Post a new blog entry showcasing a modern-day invention that has solved one of Man's many problems. The size of this problem does not matter.
3. Get your friends in Secondary 1 Humility to create their group blogs, if they have yet to do so. You should find out how much they know before offering them some advice. Do lend them a helping hand if they request for help.
Happy Blogging!
Mr. Yeo
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