Although today we think of ballpoint pens as being quite commonplace, the ballpoint retractable pen is a fairly recent invention. Although there were prototypes for ball point pens from as early as the late nineteenth century based on patents and perhaps even prior to that based on anecdotal evidence, modern ball point pens were first available for sale in Argentina from the Biro Pens of Argentina Company in 1940. The pens were sold in North America by late 1945. Today you will find two different types of ballpoint pens available, and they are the refillable pens and disposable pens. When the disposable pen runs out of ink, you can throw it away and get another one, because they are very inexpensive to purchase. Many people prefer, however, to make a small investment and get a refillable ballpoint retractable pen, which they can use for many years.

Some of the least expensive ball point pens are made from plastic components. The pen may have a cap, which is removed when you want to write with the pen, and replaced when the pen is stored, in order to prevent ink from leaking from the tip. A ballpoint retractable pen utilizes a spring action to move the ballpoint into position to write, and to retract it up inside the barrel when you are done using it. Because ballpoints do not leak as much a rollerballs or fountain pens, they make a great addition to your supplies if you travel and then need to write.

Rollerball pens are a close cousin to ballpoint pens, in that they use a ball mechanism like the ballpoint types, but they use a more viscous ink such as would be used with a fountain pen, rather than the thicker, less viscous inks typically used with ball point pens. Because of the less viscous ink, ball point pens require that the writer use more pressure on the pen in order to get it to write properly, and a more delicate touch can be used with a rollerball or fountain pen. Which type you like depends in part on how much pressure you typically use when you write.

Refillable ball pens are often made from heavy plastic or metal. You have the added benefit of being able to use ballpoint pen refills with these pens, which allow you to reuse a favorite pen almost indefinitely. Ballpoint pen refills also allow you to easily change the ink color of your pen, which makes the pen more versatile. The ballpoint pen refills come in multi-packs, and are a very inexpensive way to make sure your pen of choice is always ready for any writing task you have.