Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who were the cousins that invented Crayola brand crayons?
Who were the cousins that invented Crayola brand crayons?
Edwin Binney and C.Harold Smith
What was the first box of Crayola crayons sold for in 1903?
What was the first box of Crayola crayons sold for in 1903?
A nickel
Who created the word Crayola?
Who created the word Crayola?
Edwin Binney's wife, Alice
What was the original purpose of the carbon colour used by the Peekskill Chemical Company?
What was the original purpose of the carbon colour used by the Peekskill Chemical Company?
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What was the name of the company started by Joseph W. Binney in 1864?
What was the name of the company started by Joseph W. Binney in 1864?
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What was the product line expanded to include by the cousins, Edwin Binney and C.Harold Smith?
What was the product line expanded to include by the cousins, Edwin Binney and C.Harold Smith?
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Where did the company purchase a stone mill in 1900?
Where did the company purchase a stone mill in 1900?
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What did Mrs. Binney wish for that led to the research into colourful drawing tools for kids?
What did Mrs. Binney wish for that led to the research into colourful drawing tools for kids?
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What was the original purpose of the new wax crayon invented by Binney and Smith?
What was the original purpose of the new wax crayon invented by Binney and Smith?
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How many children use Crayola Crayons every day around the world?
How many children use Crayola Crayons every day around the world?
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Study Notes
Invention of Crayola Crayons
- Most inventions happen by accident.
- Crayola brand crayons were the first kids' crayons ever made, invented by cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith.
- The first box of eight Crayola crayons appeared in 1903, sold for a nickel.
- The initial colours were black, brown, blue, red, purple, orange, yellow, and green.
Origins of Crayola
- The word Crayola was created by Edwin Binney's wife, Alice, combining the French words for chalk (craie) and oily (oleaginous).
- In 1864, the Peekskill Chemical Company was started by Joseph W. Binney in Peekskill, New York.
- The company provided coloured paint for painting barns in America and produced black colour for car tyres.
Partnership and Expansion
- The partnership of Binney & Smith was formed around 1885 with Edwin Binney and his nephew C. Harold Smith.
- The company expanded its product line to include shoe polish and printing ink.
- In 1900, the company purchased a stone mill in Easton, Pennsylvania, and began producing pencils for schools.
Development of Crayola Crayons
- Mrs. Binney's interest in art led to the research of colourful drawing tools for kids.
- A new wax crayon was invented, initially used to mark crates and barrels, but was too toxic for children.
- Later, the colour and wax-mixing techniques were adapted for a variety of safe colours.
- In 1903, a new brand of crayons with superior working qualities was introduced, named Crayola Crayons.
Impact of Crayola Crayons
- Crayola Crayons are used around the world by over 18 million children every day.
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Description
Learn about the origins of Crayola crayons, invented by Edwin Binney and C.Harold Smith, and how they became a household name.
