#32: A Ballpoint Pen
This may look like the eye of an alien spaceship, but it’s much more mundane. This microscopic image shows the tip of a ballpoint pen. We all most likely have a few of these in our junk drawers or at our work desks, right? Well, this close-up gives us a glimpse into how they work.
The ballpoint pen was invented in the 19th century, and the first patent for a ballpoint was filed in 1888. As you can tell from the photo, these pens work by dispensing blue or black ink over a metal ball installed at the very tip. Ballpoint pens are known for their smooth ink application, and they work so well that they’re the most-used writing utensils in the world.