Sign here, here, and here

A little light on the hero front today, but the show must go on as they say. The smiling fellow above is one Laszlo Biro born this day 1899, in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. His major, and as far as I can ascertain, only claim to fame is that he invented the ball point pen. His money making idea came to him while he was working as a journalist in Hungary. While scribbling away he noticed that newspaper ink after drying left the paper smudge free. He attempted to put the same type ink in a fountain pen, and it was a miserable failure. Not to be deterred he put his head together with his brother, a chemist, and developed the new tip that allowed the ink to be picked up by the "ball point." Thus, a item we all take for granted everyday, and one that I personally use to sign my name about 30 times a day. In 1950, he sold the patent to a fellow named Marcel Bich, and the Bic pen was born. Anyone who has ever closed on a house owes M. Biro a word or two of thanks. In some countries the word "biro" entered the lexicon as a substitute for the word "pen." What greater claim to fame do you need? So, for making it easier for me to sign my, and others people's lives away. Laslzo Biro (September 29th, 1899-October 24th 1985, in Buenos Aires at the age of 86), you are my hero of the day.