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Retractable pen

A retractable pen is a type of ink pen that has a spring-loaded ink cartridge which retracts and extends outside a protective housing. By clicking downward on the top of the pen, the tip is extended and locks in place at the bottom of the housing for use.

Mechanism[edit]

A click pen comprises the frame, a thruster, two cams, a guide pin, a spring, an ink cartridge of your choice a ballpoint at the end of the cartridge, and other parts. The guide pin is typically molded into the frame and the spring provides the tension required to retract the ink cartridge. The cams provide a bistable system where in one position the ink cartridge is retracted and in the other it is extended. When the button at the end of the pen is pressed, the system moves from one position to the other. This causes the ballpoint tip to be pushed forward.[4]

Habitual pen-clicking[edit]

Pen clicking is repeated pressing of the button which produces a clicking sound.[5] Normally, the button is only pressed to expose the nib of the pen for writing. The resultant noise varies in tone, dynamic and timbre depending on the size and make of the pen. When the noise is heard repeatedly, it can have a psychological effect on the doer or anyone in earshot. The action can be either conscious or subconscious and is often associated with boredom, inattentiveness,[6] thinking, hiding something, or nervousness. It has been described as a nervous habit – a form of fidgeting.[7] It can also be described as a "distracting activity that releases nervous energy".[8] Clicking a pen can be a type of stimming behavior, but is unique in that "a person can do in public without drawing much attention to themselves," whereas some other similar behaviors are not socially acceptable.[9]


Some people find it hard to concentrate when others are pen-clicking, and so the action may be considered a pet peeve. Pen clicking can also be a trigger of misophonia.

Boris Grishenko (portrayed by ), a henchman from the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye, is notable for using pen clicking as his signature character quirk. In the film's climax, Bond exploits this habit by switching Boris' pen with a click-activated pen grenade, which leads to the destruction of the villain's base.

Alan Cumming

In an ad for Kohl's clothing lines, —who plays a fictionalised version of herself—annoys her colleagues by pen-clicking.[10]

Jennifer Lopez