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Questions and Answers
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?
A nickel
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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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.
