You’ve probably noticed that some pen caps have holes on top of them when you fiddle with the pen and chew its cap while writing. We are likely to be puzzled by the feature since the producers have not informed us of its purpose for it.

People developed amazing conspiracy theories to explain why ballpoint pens had holes in their caps over time. Some people feel that the perforations serve to equalise the pressure in the pen’s body, making it simpler to open the cap. However, many pen caps can be screwed on, which addresses any air pressure issues. Others believe the perforations allow the ink on the nib to dry up. While this is largely correct, it is not the whole explanation for the holes.

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Let us debunk the mystery before it becomes much more perplexing. The confusing feature is included in the pen as a precautionary measure. It keeps individuals from choking to death if they swallow the pen cap while chewing.

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BIC, one of the world’s oldest pen manufacturers, simply placed a hole on the top of their pen caps, turning it into a life-saving feature. For example, if a person eats the cap and it becomes lodged in the windpipe, the hole will sustain airflow and allow the person to breathe.

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The problem of getting a pen cap lodged in your windpipe is more fatal and common than you think. Cases have been reported where school children and toddlers have choked to death after ingesting a pen cap accidentally. In 2018, an 8-year-old boy from Andhra Pradesh died of choking after swallowing a pen cap. In another case, a 13-year-old schoolboy named Ben Stirland got a pen cap stuck in his throat, choking him to death.

Now, although the safety holes on the cap might save you in case you swallow it, it’s not advised that you try it to check if it works.