Crayons are a staple in every child’s toy box and classroom. The familiar sticks of colored wax have been used by children for over a century to bring their imagination to life through coloring and drawing. But did Crayola, one of the most iconic crayon brands today, invent the word “crayon” itself? The history of how crayons came to be called “crayons” is an interesting one.
The Origins of the Word “Crayon”
The word “crayon” dates back to the 16th century and is derived from the French word “craie” meaning “chalk.” In French, the term “crayon de couleur” was used to refer to colored chalks. The first recorded use of the word “crayon” in English was in 1856 in a catalog describing drawing materials for artists.
However, Crayola, the popular American crayon company known for its iconic yellow and green boxes, was not founded until 1903. While Crayola played a pivotal role in popularizing and standardizing the modern crayon, it did not invent the term. By the time Crayola came onto the scene, the word “crayon” was already commonly used to refer to wax writing implements, having evolved from the earlier French term for colored chalk.
The Evolution of Crayons
Crayons of some form have existed since prehistoric times, with early people using chalk, charcoal, wax, and pigments to create decorative art on cave walls. However, modern crayons with a wax and pigment base were first developed in Europe during the Renaissance. Italian artists used thin sticks of charcoal and oil-based wax to sketch preliminary drawings. Then, in the early 19th century, industrial advancements enabled the commercial production of wax crayons.
Parisian art supply company Gabriel & Co. was one of the first to manufacture and sell wax crayons commercially in the early 1800s. Crayons grew in popularity throughout the 1800s, produced by various stationers and art supply companies. These early crayons were often made of a paraffin wax base colored with toxic pigments containing heavy metals. They had to be moistened and laboriously rubbed or sharpened to make a mark.
The Birth of Crayola Crayons
The most significant advancement came in 1903 when cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith founded the Binney & Smith company in New York. They developed the first dustless colored wax crayon by substituting the flammable paraffin with a less expensive, non-toxic wax base. The specially formulated wax, combined with high-quality pigments, created strong, easy-to-use crayons.
The yellow and green “Crayola” branding was introduced in 1904. The Crayola name was coined by Alice Binney, wife of Edwin Binney, by combining the French word “craie” (chalk) with “ola” from “oleaginous” (oily), a reference to the wax base. Crayola found major success selling affordable wax crayons by the box to schools and families across America.
Growth of Crayola Crayons
Here are some key milestones in Crayola’s history and the growth of crayon popularity:
- 1900s – Crayola introduces boxes of just 8, 16, or 24 crayons sold at 5 to 10 cents apiece, affordable for most Americans
- 1903 – First Crayola crayons package features red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black
- 1958 – Crayola introduces their signature 64-crayon box with built-in sharpener
- 1998 – 100 billionth Crayola crayon produced
- 2003 – Crayola releases 120 new crayon colors, expanding their selection to over 150 unique shades
Crayola played a major role in bringing accessible art supplies to the mass market. While crayons existed long before Crayola, the brand was instrumental in popularizing crayons and standardizing them as sturdy, easy-to-hold sticks of colored wax.
Crayons Today
Crayons remain a beloved artistic tradition, used by children and adults alike. Here are some interesting facts about the crayon industry today:
| Annual crayon sales | Approximately 3.5 billion per year |
|---|---|
| Best-selling Crayola crayon color | Blue |
| Longest crayon name | New for 2019 – “Bluetiful” (blue crayon) |
| Number of crayons in largest Crayola box | 150 |
| Crayola flavors besides original | Silly Scents, Metallic FX, Neon, Pearl Brite |
While digital drawing tools provide stiff competition today, the classic crayon still holds an unrivaled spot in most kids’ art toolboxes. Crayons remain synonymous with creativity, free expression, and nostalgia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Crayola did not invent the word “crayon” itself, it did play a pivotal role in popularizing and standardizing the iconic sticks of colored wax. The Crayola brand was the driving force that made crayons ubiquitous in classrooms and homes across America beginning in the early 1900s.
The term “crayon” evolved gradually over centuries, originating from the French word for chalk. Crayola built upon the early crayon industry but improved quality and accessibility for mainstream consumers. With its affordable boxes and clever branding, Crayola became forever linked to the wax drawing implements fondly known as crayons.
So while Crayola did not invent the word, it certainly left an indelible mark on the cultural significance and evolution of what a crayon represents today.
