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The First Concept of a Writing Instrument
The original concept of recording information with a written writing can be found with the cuneiform of Mesopotamia and the hieroglyphic writing styles of ancient Egypt, among various other forms found in ancient Eurasia. The first true ancestor of the pencil can be found in the Roman Republic/Empire where it was a Stylus, or a sharp piece of metal or lead that was used to imprint on papyrus or wax that was contained in wood. (no date available)
http://www.ancientromangoods.com/artifacts/stylus -
Jan 1, 1564
The Addition of a Graphite Core
The use of graphite was spurred by its continual superiority to lead. Though graphite was much softer and required a holder due to how much more brittle it was in comparison to lead, the availability allowed much higher use. The first true growth of a graphite-based writing utensil was in Borrowdale, England due the vast deposits of graphite found in the area. (no date given)
http://pencils.com/pencil-history/ -
Graphite in Wooden Cases
When graphite was placed in wooden sticks as a support over string, it caused a bold mass production of pencils. The first area to mass produce pencils was Nuremberg, Germany. (no date given)
http://pencils.com/pencil-history/ -
Companies Begin to Create Pencils and Present Them to the Market
There were many companies and organizations that led to the pencils introduction into the market, notable companies were Faber-Castell, Lyra, and Steadtler. Pencils were originally advertised to everyone from artists to royalty and still used by everyone to this day. (no exact date within the year)
http://pencils.com/pencil-history/ -
The First Pencil in America
The first wood pencil maker in America is credited to William Monroe. The use of pencils was an advantage to the americans as it led to improved communication.
http://pencils.com/pencil-history/ -
The First Rubber Ended Pencils
Originally advertised as an "Indian Rubber Headed Pencil" the first concept for a rubber eraser at the opposite end of the pencil for a more convenient and cleaner way to erase was done by William H. Maurice. Before the rubber eraser, a fabric eraser was also attempted. (no official date recorded)
http://www.officemuseum.com/pencil_history.htm -
The First Yellow Pencil
The original concept of yellow pencil goes back to when all quality graphite would be imported to America from China. The branding and the yellow coloring was to provide a connection to the usual "regal" tonality that yellow provided in Chinese culture. The American manufacturers used this coloring to try and exploit it in a way of saying that their pencils were just as regal.
http://pencils.com/why-are-pencils-yellow/ -
The Change to Incense-Cedar Pencils
As American pencil manufacturing growth increased, the need for sustainable and quality wood. Over time, companies moved further west and eventually came to the Sierra Nevada mountains, where the incense cedar tree was naturally growing. Many companies now use this wood because it is highly sustainable, durable, and soft enough for pencil use. (change occurred throughout the 1900's)
http://pencils.com/pencil-history/
