The Ballpoint Pen Battle is Won
1957: Parker introduces the tungsten carbide textured ball bearing in their ballpoint pens. Eversharp was in deep financial trouble and tried to switch back to selling fountain pens. Eversharp sold its pen division to Parker Pens and Eversharp's assets finally liquidated in the 1960’s.
Late 1950's: BIC ® held 70 percent of European market.
1958: BIC buys 60 percent of the New York based Waterman Pens.
1960: BIC owns 100 percent of Waterman Pens. BIC sells ballpoint pens in U.S. for 29 - 69 cents.