This is insanely specific but what was the pen industry of the soviet union like?
Its just that in the recent Captain America film a Russian character in 1991 is seen writing with what is obviously a blue Bic Cristal. I was wondering if this was historically accurate?
Did the Soviet Union import pens like the Bic Cristal or did they have their own version.
A fantastic look into the world of Soviet pens and pencils can be found in The Remarkable Life of Dr. Armand Hammer, by Bob Considine. One of Dr. Hammer's early business ventures, well before oil and cattle, was establishing pencil factories in the Soviet Union. He primarily worked with German manufacturers who would eventually open factories across the Soviet Union. With his strong relationship to Soviet leaders, Dr. Hammer conglomerated all Soviet pencil manufacturing under a monopoly. These pencil manufacturers also began manufacturing pens, becoming wildly successful under the protection of the Soviet leadership.
NB. Dr. Armand Hammer is a polarizing figure and the book I cited is a decidedly 'rosier' image of the man. Say what you will about his ethics in business but he is an important figure for the history of stationary in Russia.