László Bíró

Hungarian inventor who revolutionized writing through the ballpoint pen

László Bíró (1899–1985), a Hungarian journalist and inventor, permanently altered human communication by inventing the modern ballpoint pen. Frustrated by fountain pens' smudging issues, Bíró observed that newspaper ink dried quickly and collaborated with his chemist brother György to create viscous ink that wouldn't leak.

His 1938 patent introduced a tiny rotating ball bearing mechanism that revolutionized writing instruments. During WWII, British aircraft manufacturers adopted Biro pens for their ability to write at high altitudes, leading to the iconic 'Bic Cristal' design still used today.

Bíró's invention democratized writing tools, making them affordable and reliable worldwide. Over 100 billion ballpoint pens are now produced annually, fundamentally changing education, business, and personal expression across cultures.