Have you ever used a pen that just feels right in your hand? Chances are, it was the Bick Crystal pen. This pen is one of the most popular writing tools ever made, and there’s a good reason for that!
The Bick Crystal pen is designed to make writing smooth and easy. Inside the pen, there’s a tiny stainless steel ball at the tip. This ball is super important because it helps the ink flow onto the paper. The ball is made with such precision that it spins perfectly, allowing just the right amount of ink to come out as you write. When you’re not using the pen, the ball acts like a seal, stopping any ink from leaking out.
Have you noticed the shape of the Bick Crystal pen? It’s hexagonal, which means it has six sides, just like a pencil. This shape is not just for looks! It helps the pen stay put on your desk and not roll away. Plus, it makes the pen easier to hold, so your hand doesn’t get tired as quickly when you’re writing or drawing.
There’s some cool science going on inside the pen too! If you turn the pen upside down, you might think the ink would just fall out. But thanks to something called capillary action and surface tension, the ink stays right where it should be. Capillary action is when liquid moves through small spaces without the help of gravity, and surface tension is the force that keeps the ink from spilling out. Together, they make sure the ink only comes out when you want it to.
The Bick Crystal pen is a great example of how smart design and science can come together to create something really useful. Next time you pick up a pen, think about all the clever ideas that went into making it work so well!
Imagine you are an inventor! Design a pen that combines the best features of the Bick Crystal pen with your own creative ideas. Draw your design and write a short paragraph explaining how your pen works and why it would be popular.
Conduct a simple experiment to see capillary action in action. Use a paper towel, a cup of water, and food coloring. Dip the edge of the paper towel into the water and observe how the water travels up the towel. Write a few sentences about how this relates to the ink in a pen.
Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or school to find objects with a hexagonal shape. Take pictures or draw them, and then discuss why you think this shape is used in their design. How does it compare to the hexagonal shape of the Bick Crystal pen?
With permission, carefully take apart an old pen to explore its components. Identify the parts that help the pen function, such as the ballpoint and ink reservoir. Write a short report on how each part contributes to the pen’s performance.
Use a Bick Crystal pen to write a review about its performance. Consider aspects like comfort, ink flow, and design. Share your review with classmates and discuss what makes a pen enjoyable to use.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
“This is the Bick Crystal, possibly the most successful product ever made. The ink flowed into the tip of the pen, which contained a stainless steel ball. The ball was machined so accurately that it could move just enough to spin and deposit ink onto the page. When the pen wasn’t being used, the ball would create a seal, preventing ink from leaking out of the bottom. The pen had a hexagonal barrel, similar to a pencil, which stopped it from rolling off tables and made it easier to grip. If the pen was turned upside down, the capillary action and surface tension of the ink would prevent it from falling out of the back of the pen.”
Design – The process of planning and creating something with a specific function or purpose in mind. – Engineers use design to create bridges that can withstand heavy loads and harsh weather conditions.
Science – The study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. – Science helps us understand how electricity flows through circuits to power our homes.
Ink – A liquid or paste used for writing, drawing, or printing. – The ink in a pen flows smoothly onto paper, allowing us to write clearly.
Ball – A spherical object or component, often used in machinery or devices. – The ball in a ballpoint pen helps control the flow of ink as you write.
Capillary – A tube or passage with a very small diameter, often used to describe how liquids move through narrow spaces. – Capillary action allows ink to move from the reservoir to the tip of a pen.
Action – The process of doing something, typically to achieve a specific result. – The action of pressing a button can start a machine or device.
Surface – The outermost layer or boundary of an object. – The surface of a mirror reflects light, allowing us to see our reflection.
Tension – The force that is applied to something that is being stretched or pulled. – Surface tension allows small insects to walk on water without sinking.
Writing – The act of forming letters and words on a surface, such as paper. – Writing with a pencil involves applying pressure to transfer graphite onto paper.
Precision – The quality of being exact and accurate. – Precision is important in engineering to ensure that all parts of a machine fit together perfectly.
