Marcel Bich facts for kids

Marcel Bich (born July 29, 1914 – died May 30, 1994) was a smart businessman. He was born in Italy but became French. He started a famous company called Bic. Bic makes many everyday items. These include ballpoint pens, lighters, and razors. Bic is now a world leader in making these products.

Marcel Bich's Early Life

Marcel Bich was born in Turin, Italy. His birthday was July 29, 1914. His parents were Aimé-Mario Bich and Marie Muffat de Saint-Amour de Chanaz. His family moved to Spain, then to France.

Marcel became a French citizen in 1932. He later studied law at the University of Paris. When World War II started, he served in the French Air Force. The Bich family came from a place called Aosta Valley in Italy. Marcel's grandfather was given the title of baron in 1841. Marcel's father was an engineer who moved to France.

How Bic Became a Success

In 1944, Marcel Bich and his friend, Édouard Buffard, bought an empty factory. It was in a suburb of Paris called Clichy. They started making cheap pen holders and pencil cases there.

At first, Marcel was not sure about ballpoint pens. Back then, they often leaked and did not work well. But in 1946, he had a clever idea. He saw how his wheelbarrow wheel made a clear path on the ground. He realized a ball could make writing much smoother. It would free the hand from the old pen nibs.

Marcel Bich bought the patent for the ballpoint pen. He paid US$2 million for it. The patent came from Hungarian inventor László Bíró. Bíró had been making these pens since 1943 in Argentina.

Marcel used tools like those used to make Swiss watches. He created a way to make tiny stainless-steel balls for the pen tips. In 1950, the Bic Cristal ballpoint pen was his first product. This pen became a huge seller all over the world. Its design is still almost the same today. Marcel formed the company Société Bic in 1953.

Bich worked with a poster designer named Raymond Savignac. Savignac created the "Bic Boy" character. This character later became part of the company's official logo. Bic won the first French Oscar for advertising. The company also sponsored the famous Tour de France bicycle race. Bic pens became a common and important item in many homes.

Between 1950 and the 1970s, Bic grew worldwide. It expanded into Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain. Then it moved into South America and North America.

In 1973, Bic launched a disposable pocket lighter. It could be used about 3,000 times before it wore out. In 1975, the brand released a one-piece razor. This was the first disposable razor with a blade and a light plastic handle all in one.

The company Marcel Bich started is still active today. It is called the Société Bic Group. Its shares are traded on the Paris Stock Exchange. Marcel's family still owns most of the company.

Marcel Bich stopped being the Chairman of Societe Bic in 1993. His son, Bruno, took over. Bruno was chairman for 25 years. Marcel's grandson, Gonzalve Bich, became CEO in 2018.

Marcel Bich and Sailing

Marcel Bich loved to sail. He paid for four attempts to win the America's Cup. This is a very famous sailing race. He tried in 1970, 1974, 1977, and 1980. After he passed away, he was added to the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1998.

Marcel Bich's Family Life

Marcel Bich had two siblings, a sister and a brother. He married Louise Chamussy in 1937. After she died in 1950, he married Jacqueline de Dufourq. Later, in 1956, he married Laurence Courier de Mère. Marcel had 11 children.

His Passing

Marcel Bich died on May 30, 1994, in Paris. He was 79 years old. He was survived by his wife, Laurence, his 11 children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

See also

In Spanish: Marcel Bich para niños