Tipp-Ex

History

The Tipp-Ex company was founded in 1959, in Frankfurt, Germany, by Otto Carls. The first product was an innovative correction paper for use with typewriters. The name "Tipp-Ex" given both to the company and the product was based on the use of this product — "Tipp" was the German word for "Type", and "Ex" is Latin for no-more.

Now, it was possible to erase a typo typed with a typewriter. The typewriter would be backspaced to the letter that was to be changed, the correction paper would be placed in front of the ribbon, and the mistyped letter would be re-typed.

Demand for this correction paper grew very quickly and brought interest from both German and international distributors.

In 1965, Tipp-Ex launched a correction fluid and quickly developed a full range of correction fluids for different uses. Sold in more than 150 countries, Tipp-Ex became a unique European brand.

In 1992 Tipp-Ex introduced its first correction tape, followed in 1995 by the unique Pocket Mouse correction tape which was an immediate success. In 1998, the correction pen was launched and in 1999 the Mini Pocket Mouse correction tape. The range was extended to erasers, and in 2000, the new foam applicator was adapted to all the correction fluid bottles.

In 1997, the BIC Corporation acquired Tipp-Ex. Tipp-Ex is now the leading European correction products brand and is the tenth most recognized German brand name in the world.

Usage

The Tipp-Ex correction fluid is a white liquid. It is used for painting over mistakes in a piece of writing. A brush (which was later replaced by a foam applicator) is attatched to the cap, so when the bottle is closed, the brush is immersed in the Tipp-Ex. When unscrewed, the brush is covered in liquid Tipp-Ex which is then painted ovet the mistake. However, it is still possible to see that Tipp-Ex has been used, and also the original content if the paper is held up to a light.

If the contents of a Tipp-Ex bottle has been exposed to too much air (for example, if the cap has been unscrewed too long or if the bottle is half-empty and there is air filling the space), the Tipp-Ex becomes thicker, and sometimes even solidifies. To help prevent this, Tipp-Ex released a prodduct called "Tipp-Ex thinner". A few drops of which are mixed to the contents of a bottle of thick Tipp-Ex to thin it. This extends the lifetime of a Tipp-Ex bottle.

External Links

• Information about Tipp-Ex from the BIC website.
• BIC product history — mentions Tipp-Ex a few times.