Melbourne I. Feltman was an American inventor, best known for creating the retractable ballpoint pen. His objective was to solve the common problem of ink leaks that stained pockets and clothes, eliminating the need for a cap. In 1953, he filed a patent for his design, which was officially granted in 1955 as U.S. Patent 2,713,847. His invention introduced a cam mechanism, activated by a top push-button, that allowed the tip to be extended and retracted with a simple action. Although he did not receive any significant formal recognition during his lifetime, the impact of his work has been global. Feltman's innovation radically transformed the writing instrument industry, and his mechanism became a global standard that is still widely used today in billions of pens produced each year.