Historical Figure
Marcel Bich
d. 1994
Co-founder of Bic (1914–1994)
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Biography
Marcel Bich, Baron Bich was an Italian-French manufacturer and co-founder of Bic, the world's leading producer of ballpoint pens, lighters and razors.
Timeline
The story of Marcel Bich, told in moments.
Bought a damaged factory in Clichy, outside Paris, for manufacturing parts. He'd been selling fountain pen barrels. The postwar economy was rebuilding, and everyone needed cheap writing instruments.
Licensed the ballpoint pen patent from Laszlo Biro and began mass-producing the Bic Cristal. Priced it at a fraction of competitors. Sold 100,000 pens a day. By year's end, the pen cost less than a newspaper.
Launched the Bic disposable lighter. Same philosophy as the pen. Cheap, reliable, everywhere. Then disposable razors in 1975. Bich had essentially three products and dominated all three global markets.
Challenged for the America's Cup with his yacht Baron Bich. Lost. Tried again in 1980. Lost again. He spent millions on sailing but couldn't buy his way past the Australians and Americans.
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