The Ball Point Pen

Here's an article about the inventor of the ball point pen, which was patented in 1888. In part, the article says:

He only made a few of his pens, but a display ad was designed, probably for use in newspapers. It shows diagrams of "Loud's Rolling-Pointed Fountain Marker", mentioning him as the inventor and sole proprietor. But he didn't sell many, and the patent was allowed to lapse. Here's the patent information:

"Weymouth, Mass. (No. 392,046). This patent described a pen having a spheroidal marking point capable of revolving in all directions which was held down by three smaller anti-friction balls, themselves held down by a flaired spring-loaded rod. A threaded cap at the end of the pen could be removed to recharge the pen with ink. The patent described the invention as being especially useful for the marking of rough surfaces such as wooden or paper boxes, coarse wrapping paper and other surfaces where the ordinary nib of a fountain pen could not be used because it would split, spatter or catch."