Baron Marcel Bich, 79, whose inexpensive Bic disposable pens, lighters and razors made him wealthy enough to sustain an 11-year quest for the America's Cup, died Monday in Paris.
After fixing up a leaky shed in Clichy, a northern Paris suburb, after World War II, Mr. Bich and a partner, Edouard Buffard, began turning out inexpensive penholders and pencil cases.
Later he obtained the patent rights to a ball-point pen invented by a Hungarian, Ladislas Biro, and formed Societe Bic in 1953.
The inexpensive pens proved irresistible to consumers.
In 1993 the Bic group reported worldwide sales of $1.1 billion and a profit of $70.5 million.
Last year the baron stepped down as chairman of Societe Bic in favor of Bruno Bich, one of his 11 children.
