Editing Tipp-Ex

{{Short description|Brand of correction fluid}}
{{For2|the Indonesian band|Tipe-X|the Israeli band|Teapacks|the series of British cypher machines|Typex}}
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{{More citations needed|date=February 2016}}
{{Original research|date=October 2024}}
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{{use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
[[File:Tipp-Ex-Aqua-based.jpg|thumb|A bottle of the Tipp-ex aqua]]

'''Tipp-Ex''' is a [[brand]] of [[correction fluid]] and other related products that is popular throughout Europe. It was also the name of the German company (''[[Société Bic|Tipp-Ex GmbH & Co. KG]]'') that produced the products in the Tipp-Ex line. While ''Tipp-Ex'' is a [[trademark]] name for correction products, in some countries it has become a [[Generic trademark|genericised trademark]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.genericides.org/trademark/tipp-ex |title=Has Tipp-Ex become a generic trademark? |date=2020-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921101944/https://genericides.org/trademark/tipp-ex |archive-date=2021-09-21}}</ref> ''to tippex'' or ''to tippex out'' means to erase, either generally or with correction fluid.

==History==
[[File:Tipp-ex correction paper 20130417.jpg|thumb|155px|right|Tipp-Ex correction paper]]

''Tipp-Ex'' correction paper was invented by Wolfgang Dabisch from [[Eltville]], [[West Germany]], who filed a patent in 1958<ref>{{cite patent |country=DE |number=1192219B |title=Farbfolie zur Korrektur von Tippfehlern |invent1=Dabisch, Wolfgang |status=Patent |gdate={{date|1965-05-06}}}}</ref> on ''Colored film for the correction of typing errors'' ({{langx|de|Tippfehler}}). He subsequently founded a company of the same name. Shortly after that a ''Tipp-Ex Sales & Distribution'' company (Tipp-Ex Vertrieb GmbH & Co. KG) was founded in [[Frankfurt]] by Otto Carls. This company still exists under the name of Tipp-Ex GmbH & Co. KG close to Frankfurt.
''Tipp-Ex'' became a registered trademark with the German patent office in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://register.dpma.de/DPMAregister/marke/register/1120175/DE |title=DPMAregister Marken - Registerauskunft |website=Deutsches Patent und Merkenamt |language=de}}</ref>

Earlier, in 1951,{{cn |date=December 2023}}  [[Bette Nesmith Graham]] invented the first correction fluid in her kitchen and began marketing the product in 1956 as ''Mistake Out''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.celebratingtexas.com/tr/lsl/94.pdf |title=Bette Nesmith Graham |access-date=2010-03-18 |publisher=Celebrating Texas }}{{dl|date=December 2023}}</ref> Tipp-Ex GmbH only started to produce white correction fluid in 1965 under the brand ''Tipp-Ex'', but also as ''C-fluid''.

As a result of the invention of ''Tipp-Ex'', it became possible to erase a [[typographical error]] made on a typewriter. The typewriter would be [[backspace]]d to the letter that was to be changed, the correction paper would be placed behind the ribbon, and the mistyped letter would be re-typed. The system only worked if the typewriter repositioned the re-typed letter in exactly the same place as originally typed, which could be problematic if returning to a previous line.

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

In 1992 ''Tipp-Ex'' introduced its first [[correction tape]], followed in 1995  by the successful Pocket Mouse which worked as a best seller. In 1998, the correction pen was launched. The range was extended to [[eraser]]s, and in 2000, the new [[foam]] applicator was adapted to all the correction fluid bottles.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}}

In 1997, [[Société Bic]] acquired ''Tipp-Ex''.<ref>[https://www.lesechos.fr/1997/01/le-groupe-bic-achete-lallemand-tipp-ex-807286 Le groupe Bic achète l'allemand Tipp-Ex], Les Echos, January 1997</ref>

==Usage==
[[File:Spelling Correction Example.jpg|thumb|right|''Tipp-Ex'' can often be written on after it has dried.]]
''Tipp-Ex'' correction fluid is a white liquid. It is used for painting over [[Typographical error|mistakes in a piece of writing]]. A brush (which was later replaced by a foam applicator) is attached to the cap, so when the bottle is closed, the brush is immersed in the fluid. When unscrewed, the brush is covered in liquid ''Tipp-Ex'' which is then painted over the mistake. However, it is still possible to see that the product 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 have been exposed to too much air (for example, if the cap has been unscrewed too long or if the bottle is half-full and there is air filling the space), the fluid becomes thicker, and sometimes even solidifies. To help prevent this, ''Tipp-Ex'' released a product called "''Tipp-Ex'' thinner", a few drops of which are mixed with the contents of a bottle of partially dried ''Tipp-Ex'' to thin it. This extends the lifetime of a bottle.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}}

One must write with a ball point pen on top of ''Tipp-Ex'', as a liquid ink pen will smudge. Gel ink will require a few seconds to fully dry, but can be used if no ball point pen is available.{{Citation needed|date=February 2016}}

==Toxicology==
The organic solvent [[1,1,1-trichloroethane]] was originally used as a [[paint thinner|thinner]] in the product.  This solvent is readily absorbed by the lungs via inhalation.  It passes readily through the [[blood–brain barrier]] and may be lethal following acute exposure.<ref name="UKPID 1,1,1-trichloroethane">{{Cite web | url=http://www.inchem.org/documents/ukpids/ukpids/ukpid29.htm |title=Monograph For UKPID 1,1,1-trichloroethane | date=1 December 1995 | publisher=National Poisons Information Service (London Centre) | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701070308/http://www.inchem.org/documents/ukpids/ukpids/ukpid29.htm | url-status=live |archivedate=1 July 2011}}</ref>  1,1,1-trichloroethane is also an '[[ozone]] depleter', being one of the substances responsible for causing damage to the Earth's [[ozone layer]].<ref name="Environment Agency 1,1,1-trichloroethane">{{Cite web | url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/245.aspx |title=Environment Agency 1,1,1-trichloroethane | date=4 April 2011 | publisher=Environment Agency | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204203705/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/pollution/245.aspx | url-status=dead |archivedate=4 February 2009}}</ref>  For both reasons, it has not been added to ''Tipp-Ex'' since 2000, and it has been replaced by [[aliphatic]] [[hydrocarbons]].<ref name="Safety Data Sheet for Tipp-Ex">{{Cite web | url=http://www.theconsortium.co.uk/assets/data/015750.pdf |title=Safety Data Sheet for Tipp-Ex | date=June 2000 | publisher=The Consortium | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125004203/http://www.theconsortium.co.uk/assets/data/015750.pdf | url-status=dead |archivedate=25 November 2011}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Liquid Paper]]
* [[Wite-Out]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category inline}}

[[Category:Correction instruments]]
[[Category:Stationery]]