Why is there a hole at the tip of a pen cap?

Correct answer: To prevent suffocation in case the cap is swallowed

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What people think about it: 36 Comments
Tanya
Tanya
Wonderful to produce safe products intentionally. I didn't know this, but grateful for safe engineering.
Hanoj
Hanoj
Oh wow, I had no idea! I had to look at my pen cap to see the hole. Thank you for the info.
Player #23411622
Player #23411622
beautiful safety feature very creative
Player Quitos
Player Quitos
See? The pen can be mightier than the sword.
Player Say what!?
Player Say what!?
Interesting! Of course I grabbed my pen to check and sure 'nuff. The entire cap end is open.
FreezingHothead39561
FreezingHothead39561
I believe that in about the 80's there was an actual fatally involving a child in the UK, which brought the need for holes to be put in pen caps.
Player #Abi_gezunt
Player #Abi_gezunt
Someone once said that if you swallow a button at least you can breathe through the threading holes. I thought it was a total joke, now I see there is truth to it
Player #4778109
Player #4778109
really interesting didn't know that
lady labradora
lady labradora
Inhalation, not swallowing.
Player #36991598
Player #36991598
I wonder what year this was made as law. I don’t remember my pen lids having holes as a child.
Player #141955517
Player #141955517
What! I laughed at that answer, thinking it was funny. Little did I know it was meant to be right answer. How bizarre
Beezer
Beezer
I hate it when I start to chew a pen lid then realise it already has teeth marks - not mine!! 😝
Lea57
Lea57
The correct answer is flawed... one will most likely NOT die after swallowing the cap of a pen. The danger is in aspirating it...inhaling it (or any small object) so that it lodges in the trachea. This causes the airway to be blocked. If it is not cleared, the lack of oxygen in the brain and heart will result in death.
Player #92723922
Player #92723922
I only use retractable pens because I always lose the caps.
Jenn Natalia
Jenn Natalia
TLDR...as per usual
Player #104926320
Player #104926320
This I learned myself everybody should know this life tip!
sri
sri
I thought it's for the pen safety lol. that's a gud and safe idea
Poo
Poo
Actually unlikely to be a problem if swallowed. Breathed in more likely.
Cheryl
Cheryl
I think that's awesome! I had no idea.
Smart Kitten
Smart Kitten
I had mistaken the answer but I learned something new.
Astralbee
Astralbee
Those tops make great Norman helmets for worms.
0862
0862
this is what they need to teach in school do not swallow pen lids
Ambi
Ambi
Great to know! This game is great because…it educates!
Aashritha
Aashritha
Salute to whoever made that invention
nbk. subrahmanyam
nbk. subrahmanyam
great engineering i didn't guess this
DrWhat
DrWhat
Well that messes up the gene pool
Player #29152846
Player #29152846
I swallowed one once and the docs just told my parents it should pass through in the toilet one day. Years later, the design changed, thankfully.
Rohith
Rohith
extraordinary Question and good information I loved it...
Thunderduck
Thunderduck
Always wondered about that. Great game for learning in a fun way...
Player #38618593
Player #38618593
Smart design and also good to know, but I only use retractable pens, because when there's a removable cap, I usually lose it.
CoolGirl101
CoolGirl101
to use as a whistle lol 🤣🤣🤣
Player 10
Player 10
so thoughtful in designing .👌
TKLMSJKB♡
TKLMSJKB♡
Tanya, I'm old enough to remember this being introduced b.c. of youngsters choking to death on pen lids. such a tiny thing.
Player #5100533
Player #5100533
Jo, I knew, & I tell people about it ALL the time. Saw it on a YouTube video years ago. Now that you know, spread the word...
Chip7756
Chip7756
Little Saint, not a true Bic pen then!
Rudi's mom
Rudi's mom
I had no idea but did wonder what was the purpose of a hole