John J. Loud

John Jacob Loud (November 2, 1844 – August 10, 1916) was an American inventor known for designing the first ballpoint pen.

Trained as a lawyer at Harvard College, Loud worked at the Union National Bank in Weymouth, Massachusetts as a cashier. He was also active in his community as a member of his church, a trustee of many local organizations, and a member of local historical societies. Loud invented and obtained a patent for what is considered to be the first ballpoint pen in 1888; however, his invention was not commercialized and the patent would eventually lapse. The modern ballpoint pen would be patented later in 1938 by László Bíró, 22 years after Loud's death.

Early life and education John Jacob Loud was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, on November 2, 1844, the only son of John White Loud and Sarah Humphrey Blanchard. One of his sisters, Annie Frances Loud, was a locally noted composer of "sacred music". He furthered his studies and training in law while working at the firm Jewell, Gaston & Field. However, he opted to join his father in the banking profession. He had set out to make a writing instrument able to write on leather products, which then-common fountain pens could not. Loud's pen had a small rotating steel ball, held in place by a socket. In the patent, he noted:

Although his invention could be used to mark rough surfaces such as leather, as he had originally intended, it proved to be too coarse for letter-writing. With no commercial viability, its potential went unexploited and the patent eventually lapsed.

Loud had also registered patents for a firecracker cannon (1888) and a "toy cannon" (1887).

Personal life, death He was married to Emily Keith Vickery from November 7, 1872, until her death in November 1911.

A noted orator, he spoke at many local events, including delivering an address upon the building of the first warship at the Fore River Shipyard in 1900. He also wrote poetry and songs in his spare time.

He died at his home in Weymouth on August 10, 1916, and was buried at Village Cemetery in Weymouth.