Bic is a household name, synonymous with a disposable age

FEW companies can say that they are responsible for changing the everyday habits of billions of people throughout the world, but the French company Bic, founded in 1950 is one that can.

The ballpoint pen came first. The original biros - named after Lazlo Biro, their Hungarian inventor - were expensive and difficult to use. Baron Marcel Bich, the owner of a small office supplies company, brought together French and British scientists to refine and modify* the design. He negotiated the rights to produce and sell the pen with Biro. Production of the Bic "Crystal" began in 1953. The "Crystal" had a clear blue plastic tube and a visible ink supply which sufficient to draw a line three kilometres long.

Sales rose from around 50,000 a week in the first year to a quarter of a million a day by 195q. Today sales of Bic writing instruments total more than 20 million a day in 160 countries.

Bich was not content with a one-product business and wanted to find other throwaway ideas. In 1972 came the disposable lighter.

It is another success story which made Bic world leaders in the with daily sales of disposable lighters now numbering almost 4.million.

Bic's winning formula was a combination of simplicity of production and reliability; the company claims that its lighters will work 3,000 times compared with competing brands' 1,000.

The company used healthy profits to invest in its third major product range - the throwaway razor - in 1975. It now contests market leadership with Gillette. " Bic subsequently diversified further - into windsurfing boards and fashion - but the three original throwaway' ideas remain its success stories.

synonymous with a disposable age: [Bic] represents our fast-moving world

to refine: improve

to modify: make small changes
Gillette: major manufacturer of razors and toiletries

(“First Insights into Business”)