Humble history of the pencil

Advertisements
Giant pencil made of wood, painted cream and printed in brown with the words 'Cadbury's BOURNVITA FOR SLEEP AND ENERGY'.
Giant pencil made of wood, painted cream and printed in brown with the words ‘Cadbury’s BOURNVITA FOR SLEEP AND ENERGY’.

I am feeling nostalgic for the humble pencil. There is a comfort and warm familiarity whenever I pick one up (rarely these days). Pencils are inexpensive, portable, and simple to operate, and the marks that they make are easy to erase. Unlike other writing tools, they do not run out of ink or skip — sharpen them occasionally, and they are ready to go.

The history of the lead pencil goes back more than 2000 years to Greek and Roman times. The word for pencil is derived from the Latin pencillus, meaning “little brush”. As we know it, the pencil may have evolved out of an ancient Roman stylus (a thin metal rod) used to scratch the papyrus, leaving a light but readable mark. Other early writing tools were made out of lead. Lead is a substance that will make its mark on almost anything. However, the mark that it leaves is faint and not very dependable.

Discovery of Graphite & History of Pencil

In the fifteenth century, new material was found that could be used in place of lead. This substance is called graphite. A large graphite deposit was discovered near Borrowdale, England, in 1564. It is a form of carbon and beneficial material. Besides its use in pencils, it is an ingredient in lubricants, certain kinds of steel, paint, and brushes in electric motors. In my early 20s, I worked at a large bakery. I remember lubricating the conveyor belt chains for the oven with semi-liquid graphite. It was used instead of oil as it could withstand the high temperatures inside the oven.

Graphite by itself, however, is as unsuitable for pencils as lead. It is mixed with fine clay to keep the graphite from wearing too quickly. And it is the amount of clay that determines how hard the pencil lead will be. A hard lead will have more clay in it than a soft lead. Coloured pencils contain no graphite and are a mixture of clay, was, or chalk and colouring materials.

Fun fact

1800 — Massachussets school girl creates a pencil using crushed graphite and a hollowed out twig. (Very resourceful, and easier to transport than a quill and ink pot.)

To make a pencil the helpful tool it is, it needs a wooden sheath. The most common wood used for this purpose is cedar. More than 70% of the world’s pencil makers rely on Lebocedrus deurrens  — the California incense cedar tree — for their wood. A cedar slat is cut into proper pencil lengths and about nine pencil widths. Grooves are then cut in a lengthwise direction. After placing the leads in these grooves, another cedar slat is glued on top, making a pencil sandwich. The whole thing is then cut into nine pencils.

After pencils are cut, they are sanded, painted and varnished, and the marker’s name is stamped into them. If they have an eraser, a brass rim is to be added. The eraser is fitted in, and the brass rim is squeezed tight so it does not fall out the first time you use it.

Recent History of Pencil

By the beginning of the twentieth century, two systems for identifying the grade of pencils had been established. European pencil makers were using a combination letter-number system. Most American pencil makers use a number-only system. The combination letter-number system is the one that is most recognisable today—usually consisting of 9H, 8H, … 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, …, 8B, 9B. “H” represents Hardness, and “B” represents Blackness and is softer. Harder pencils are most often used for drafting, and artists most likely use softer pencils.

More on Design History

Introduction to the K6, the Iconic London Red Telephone Box

The London Red Telephone Box stands as a testament to the enduring impact of design in the realm of applied and decorative arts. More than just a means of communication, this iconic structure represents a significant chapter in the history of British design, embodying both aesthetic appeal and functional purpose. The Birth of a British…

Keep reading

Historical Perspective: The Evolution of the Boarding Pass

The boarding pass is an excellent example of how design evolves to meet technological advances and user needs. Its history reflects broader trends in graphic design, information organization, and technological integration. From Paper to Digital Originally, boarding passes were purely paper-based, featuring basic information and often hand-written. The airline industry’s introduction of digital printing and…

Keep reading

The End of an Era: Fruit Stripe Gum

A Colorful Legacy in Packaging Design Fruit Stripe Gum, a vibrant icon in the world of confectionery, has announced its discontinuation, marking the end of a colourful chapter in applied and decorative arts. For over 50 years, this gum has not just been a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the…

Keep reading

A Brief History of Jewellery Design

The history of jewelry design spans millennia, from the use of simple materials like shells and bones in ancient times to the creative shift with the Art Nouveau movement, and continues to evolve and adapt to changing societal tastes, reflecting its enduring artistic value.

Keep reading

Ekco Products Company: Kitchen Innovation and Excellence

Founded in 1888, Ekco Products Company evolved from modest beginnings to become America’s leading kitchenware manufacturer by the 1950s due to strategic acquisitions and design innovation, notably introducing a hole in spoon handles for easy hanging. Their Flint 1900 series epitomized functional elegance.

Keep reading

The Art of Numismatics: A Look at Paul Vincze’s Legacy

Paul Vincze was a famed coin and medal designer. Forced to flee Europe due to Nazi persecution, he made significant contributions to the arts in Britain. Notably, he crafted coins and medals that encapsulated historical narratives, blending art, history, and design in tangible artifacts, earning him global recognition and awards.

Keep reading

Tupperware: More Than Just Plastic Boxes

Tupperware’s broad influence extends from kitchen storage to social, cultural, and design spheres, although its future is uncertain due to financial struggles and the need for sustainable innovation. The brand’s history demonstrates both its transformative power and marketing complexities.

Keep reading

History of the International Design Conference in Aspen (IDCA)

The International Design Conference in Aspen (IDCA) was a significant event that linked design with industry and culture, initiated to encourage intellectual exchanges. Influenced by the Bauhaus philosophy of merging art and commerce, it drew designers, scientists, educators and businesses into rich, diverse discussions, shaping modern design philosophies and evolving into the Aspen Design Summit.

Keep reading

The Allure of Art Deco: A Dive into Its Timeless Design Motifs

Art Deco, a design movement originating in the 1920s, continues to captivate with its use of geometric shapes, luxurious materials, ornamentation, symmetry, and global inspirations. The motifs’ versatility, timelessness, and visual satisfaction provide a glimpse into a sophisticated and elegant historical era.

Keep reading

The Enduring Charm of the Aga Stove

Discover the enduring charm of the Aga stove in this brief history. From Sweden to sleek modernity, explore its timeless style, efficiency, and future innovations. A symbol of quality that’s more than just a cooking device.

Keep reading

Exploring Alternative Design: Challenging Consumer Society in the Late 1960s and Early 1970s

Discover how writers, thinkers, and countercultural movements in the late 1960s and early 1970s challenged consumer society through alternative design approaches. From hippie communities rejecting materialism to influential books like Victor Papanek’s “Design for the Real World” and E. F. Schumacher’s “Small is Beautiful,” explore the shift towards socially responsible, decentralized, and sustainable design. Underground…

Keep reading

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.