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30th Sep 2022

People are only realising now why biro pens have holes in the lids

Tobi Akingbade

Now we know …

Ever wondered why biro lids have holes in them?

For many it’s a question that has puzzled their minds, but there is actually an obvious(ish) explanation.

While some people think it’s to do with the flow of the ink, the real reason is actually even more necessary for our survival.

According to Bic, the hole is an important safety feature.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiO7vmr5WB/

The pen giant’s website explains: “The reason that some BIC® pens have a hole in their cap is to prevent the cap from completely obstructing the airway if accidentally inhaled.

“This is requested by the international safety standards ISO11540, except for in cases where the cap is considered too large to be a choking hazard.”

The key piece of info was also shared on the Instagram page Zack Films.

In a post to his account, Zack said that companies such as Bic are needed to make sure their lids have holes in to protect customers.

In his video, Zack says: “You see, it’s just enough space for airflow if the cap gets stuck in someone’s throat.”

And for many people, it was the first time they’d heard about it.

One user said: “Never knew why. Thanks for sharing.”

Some, however, weren’t quite as moved.

“I thought this was common knowledge”, said one user, another added: “Everyone knows this by know.”

Another joked: “no, it is for whistles.”

If that wasn’t an information overload, we’ve got another one for you.

What’s the deal with postal workers writing ‘P’ on letters all the time? It’s very suspicious. Like a warning of some sort.

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