At times, science is about the big picture of the mind. Like the idea that our Universe is just a giant hologram, or that we have discovered waves of gravity from a neutron star crash. Or we may not have as much free will as we think …
These are interesting concepts. But then there will be other times when you come across everyday technology that is so simple and yet so important, it reminds you what this invention is all about. Case in point: that ubiquitous hole at the top of your BIC pen cap.
You may have never given much thought to it, or if you have, you may have removed it as a random design feature that regulates air pressure or prevents ink from drying out. -mach. And yes, with a hole in theirs doing allowing you to close the roof properly without the issue of air pressure. But it also serves another simple purpose that is ingenious – reducing the risk of choking death.
Turns out it’s not just us who like to chew on pen syringes – a lot of people do, and that can lead to syllables being swallowed and absorbed into the pen. windpipe, with potentially fatal consequences.
By simply adding a larger hole to the top of the cover, the BIC pen company increased airflow and the ability for people to breathe even if it did – a design feature that literally saves life.
“The reason is that some BIC pens have a hole in their cap to prevent the cap from completely blocking the airway if it is inadvertently inserted. , ”The company writes on their website. “This is required by ISO11540 international safety standards, except in cases where the cap is considered too large to be a choking hazard.”
Around 100 people die in the U.S. each year from choking on pen syringes, a number that used to be higher, Matt Payton from The Independent reported in 2016. Other pen manufacturers have followed suit and added larger holes to the top of their pens as well, he said.
(Note: if you find yourself or someone you’re choking on the tip of a pen, here are some suggestions on what to do.)
Isn’t that a beautiful use of technology in our daily lives? Well, what about that tiny “breather hole” in airplane windows, which plays an important role in regulating the tension that builds between the internal and external pressure of an airplane?
And while you’re at it, there’s also a simple but awful reason that plane windows always have rounded edges. Enjoy:
A draft of this article was first published in May 2016.