The origin of crayons

The earliest recorded form of communication is graphic art, beginning with drawings drawn on cave walls by prehistoric humans. Neanderthals had limited drawing tools, perhaps only carbon clumps left over from cooking fires. Today's graphic communicators can certainly purchase a variety of more effective tools, including the familiar crayon.

Crayons are made from paraffin, a waxy substance derived from wood, coal, or petroleum. Paraffin began to be produced commercially in 1867, and crayons appeared around the turn of the century. Early crayons were black and sold primarily to factories and factories as waterproof markers. Colored crayons for artistic purposes were introduced to Europe around the same time, but like black crayons, they contained toxic substances (usually charcoal and wax) and were therefore not suitable for children. Binney & Smith, which still makes crayons, has a keen grasp of the American education market, having previously sold dust-free chalk for blackboards. The company sold the first pack of eight colored crayons in 1903, suitable for children to use in schools.