In the world of stationery and office supplies, one writing tool has slowly but surely captured the attention of users looking for practicality and durability: the erasable pen. From its humble beginnings as an innovative curiosity to its well-earned place in school kits and on desks the world over, let's discover together the history and benefits of the erasable pen.

Discover  Legami's wide range of erasable pens.

What is an erasable pen?

An erasable pen, also known as an erasable ink pen, is a type of pen that uses ink designed to be erasable, unlike traditional pens whose ink is permanent. Most of these writing tools work in the same way as pencils.

Erasable pens are popular for their versatility and practicality.
They are widely used in school and professional environments for noting, drafting and proofreading documents, as they enable users to quickly and easily correct mistakes without leaving marks. What's more, using these pens can help reduce paper wastage, as users can reuse the same media several times by simply erasing the ink.

The ink fades in an instant on the paper.

How does erasable ink work?

Heat-sensitive ink
In many erasable pens, the ink is erased by the heat generated by rubbing the rubber tip.

This is because the ink used in these writing implements is generally heat-sensitive, so it disappears when subjected to light friction. So it's not an "eraser" as such that's used, but a tip.

Some erasable pens also use a water-sensitive ink, a special gel ink that can be wiped off using a damp cloth or wiping pad. These inks and gel inks are available in a range of colors too, enabling a wide variety of designs and possible uses.

Discover the colorful, cute erasable pens from Italian brand Legami.

The history of erasable pens

The history of erasable pens began in Japan in the 1970s, with the invention of the erasable ink pen, also known as the erasable ballpoint pen. It was Japanese chemist Yukio Horie who developed this revolutionary ink.

Yukio Horie worked for Pilot Corporation, a Japanese company specializing in the manufacture of pens and other stationery. The idea of creating a pen whose ink could be erased arose from a desire to solve the problem commonly encountered with traditional ink pens: writing errors!
Horie came up with the idea of using an ink whose properties would enable users to erase writing easily, without leaving marks on the paper.

After much research and experimentation, Yukio Horie succeeded in developing a special ink based on chemical compounds that can be altered by heat. The ink becomes invisible when heated to over 60 degrees Celsius.
He then designed a pen with a metal tip to deposit this special ink on paper.

In 1971, Pilot Corporation launched the first erasable ballpoint pen on the Japanese market under the name "Frixion Ball". Pilot's new product was animmediate hit with Japanese consumers, who were fascinated by the Frixion's ability to erase ink and rewrite on the same surface.

Pilot's Frixion Ball quickly became a staple in stationery supplies, particularly for students, schoolchildren and professionals.

Today, the erasable pen is a widely used stationery product. It offers users a convenient and environmentally-friendly way of writing, drawing and correcting mistakes. The invention of this writing tool revolutionized the stationery industry and continues to have a significant impact on the way we write and communicate.

The benefits of the erasable pen

As time goes by, and taking up what we explained above, we begin to understand why the erasable pen has become the king of school kits and one of the best stationery accessories:

• Easy error correction: one of the most obvious advantages of erasable pens is their ability to enable users to quickly correct writing or drawing errors. No more unsightly erasures or ink erasures, just erase and rewrite! (An advantage quickly understood by parents, which is why this stationery product is so common in school kits!)
• Ecological: erasable pens make their own contribution to reducing paper waste. By erasing the ink and reusing the same writing surface, it's possible to write several times on paper and reduce environmental impact.
• Versatility: erasable pens are versatile and can be used in a variety of contexts, whether for note-taking in class, writing assignments, creating flow charts or sketches, or even for administrative tasks in the office.
• Adaptability: erasable pens are available in a range of colors and styles, enabling users to choose the one that best suits their needs and preferences. In the school environment, it's a practical product; in the art world, its versatility makes it highly appreciated.
• A popular item with teachers: finally, many teachers appreciate the use of erasable pens in the classroom, as they make it easier to correct mistakes without causing confusion or mess on worksheets.

Legami erasable pens, fancy ballpoint pens for all ages

Discover a range of cute, erasable pens featuring your favorite animals or your children's favorite animals. Legami is a world of varied stationery just waiting to be explored.
In the brand's assortment, you'll find a myriad of erasable pens and stationery items with cute, endearing designs.

Discover the many Legami erasable pens.

Legami erasable ballpoint pens come in a variety of designs and colors!

Turn writing and drawing into a touching moment with these colorful pens for young and old. Legami ballpoint pens come in a multitude of models for every purpose. At school, to unleash your creativity, or at the office, these endearing stationery tools are as comforting as they are useful.

Whimsical pens for young and old.

Write, erase and... refill! Legami also offers refills for its iconic pens, so you can erase whenever you like, without running out of ink!

Discover Legami's wide range of erasable pens.

Conclusion
The history and operation of erasable-ink pens testify to a veritable revolution in the world of writing and stationery. From their humble beginnings in research laboratories to their undisputed place in school kits, erasable pens have conquered the hearts of users.
We hope you've learned a little more about this revolutionary tool, and we look forward to seeing you soon.