History of the Pencil

Creation of the First Pencil (1)

1560

During the late 16th century, an Italian couple - Simonio and Lyndiana Bernacotti - created the first pencil, which was just a stick made of juniper.

Marking with Pure Graphite (1)

1565

In the late 1500s, in the Borrowdale area of the Lake District, deposits of pure graphite were found. They were mostly used by farmers to mark their sheep.

Nicholas Jasques Conte (1)

1795

Using clay and ground graphite, scientist Nicholas Jasques Conte invented a newer pencil for Napoleon's army during the Napoleonic War since they had no access to pure English graphite.

Major Pencil Manufacturing Industry (1)

1800

Near Keswick, a major pencil manufacturing industry was created in the 19th century.

Colored Pencils (2)

1834

Around the 19th century, a German company named Staedtler invented colored oil pastel pencils. They were only used for checking and marking items.

The Pencil's Eraser (1)

1858

Finally, during the late 19th century, stationer Hymen Lipman imitated the creation of the pencil - however, he added a new feature that we still use to this day. He added a small piece of rubber on the end of the pencil, which we call the "eraser".

Art with Colored Pencils (2)

1924

Faber-Castell and Caran d'Ache produced colored pencils in 1924. But these weren't just for checking and marking - they were used for art, such as sketching, shading, drawing, etc.

Other Manufacturers of Colored Pencils (2)

1938

Berol imitated the production of colored pencils during 1938. Others - such as Derwent, Progresso, Lyra Rembrandt, and Blick Studio - followed during the late 1930s and early 40s.