Ask an artist today what their first art supplies were, and chances are they will say "crayons, markers, and colored pencils" made by Crayola.
Crayola brand has been inspiring young artists for over a hundred years with a wide variety of art supplies.
Crayolas aren't just for children. Plenty of adults still enjoy breaking open a new box of crayons (as well as memories) and indulging themselves in a few hours of coloring-book therapy.
And oh, don't you just love the smell of a new box of crayons?
So how did Crayola begin, and why do we still turn to them for art supplies?
Crayola brand has been inspiring young artists for over a hundred years with a wide variety of art supplies.
Crayolas aren't just for children. Plenty of adults still enjoy breaking open a new box of crayons (as well as memories) and indulging themselves in a few hours of coloring-book therapy.
And oh, don't you just love the smell of a new box of crayons?
So how did Crayola begin, and why do we still turn to them for art supplies?
First, What is a Crayon, Exactly?
The word "crayon" has been found in literature dating back to the 1600's. Crayons themselves have been around much longer. The ancient Egyptians used a form of crayon to create some of their masterpieces.
Before crayons became associated with children and coloring books, they were a tool for professional artists. Crayons were made from oil or wax mixed with either charcoal, chalk, or pigment.
Today these crayons are still sold in art supply stores as oil pastel crayons (oil and chalk), conte crayons (pastel and wax), china markers (pigment and grease), and pastel crayons (dry chalk).
Before crayons became associated with children and coloring books, they were a tool for professional artists. Crayons were made from oil or wax mixed with either charcoal, chalk, or pigment.
Today these crayons are still sold in art supply stores as oil pastel crayons (oil and chalk), conte crayons (pastel and wax), china markers (pigment and grease), and pastel crayons (dry chalk).
The Beginnings of Crayola
In 1903, two cousins, Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith began researching ideas for creating drawing implements for children.
The two were already manufacturing slate pencils and dustless chalk for use in the school rooms, but wanted to expand their business by creating something with more color. (I love these guys already, don't you?)
Binney and Smith already created many things that had color, such as shoe polish and carbon marking crayons.
Crayons made with carbon were too toxic for children, but by experimenting with different ingredients and the process for creating the marking crayons, Binney and Smith were able to invent their famous recipe for children's crayons.
The two were already manufacturing slate pencils and dustless chalk for use in the school rooms, but wanted to expand their business by creating something with more color. (I love these guys already, don't you?)
Binney and Smith already created many things that had color, such as shoe polish and carbon marking crayons.
Crayons made with carbon were too toxic for children, but by experimenting with different ingredients and the process for creating the marking crayons, Binney and Smith were able to invent their famous recipe for children's crayons.
We love twistable colored pencils for road trips--no sharpening needed.
Crayola Colors and Famous Packaging
The first box of Crayola crayons cost only five cents. It contained 8 crayons; red, orange, blue, yellow, violet, black, brown and green.
By 1905 Crayolas were offered in 18 different sized boxes. The crayons came in five different sizes, but the most popular sizes were the standard and jumbo crayons that we still use today.
At the same time Crayola was marketing crayons specifically for children, it was also producing crayons for adult artists. This line was called the Rubens Crayola line. It was available in 6 count or 24 count boxes.
Many of their regular Crayolas were also used by artists, and some were sold without wrappers to make them more suitable for drawing. In addition to these, Crayola also sold over 20 other lines of crayons. Some of these were:
In 1905, Binney and Smith had won a gold medal at the St. Louis World's Fair for their dustless chalk. They used that as inspiration for their packaging design.
In 2003, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, Crayola released a limited number of crayons in this vintage packaging.
The design of the crayola box has changed several times over the years, and the gold medal logo is no longer used. But of course the signature green and gold packaging is still around!
By 1905 Crayolas were offered in 18 different sized boxes. The crayons came in five different sizes, but the most popular sizes were the standard and jumbo crayons that we still use today.
At the same time Crayola was marketing crayons specifically for children, it was also producing crayons for adult artists. This line was called the Rubens Crayola line. It was available in 6 count or 24 count boxes.
Many of their regular Crayolas were also used by artists, and some were sold without wrappers to make them more suitable for drawing. In addition to these, Crayola also sold over 20 other lines of crayons. Some of these were:
- Liquitex
- Pooh
- Tiny Tots
- Arista
- Munsell Crayola
In 1905, Binney and Smith had won a gold medal at the St. Louis World's Fair for their dustless chalk. They used that as inspiration for their packaging design.
In 2003, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, Crayola released a limited number of crayons in this vintage packaging.
The design of the crayola box has changed several times over the years, and the gold medal logo is no longer used. But of course the signature green and gold packaging is still around!
Artist Tip: using markers over watercolor or regular colored pencil can give new depth and perspective to your blending.
As the decades went by, Crayolas increased in popularity, and became a staple in classrooms and homes. In 1926 Binney and Smith bought out the Munsell Crayon Co. which gave them 11 new colors.
After this, they combined Munsell colors with Crayola colors to continue to create new crayons for their palette. By 1957 there were 48 colors available. 1958 saw that number increase to 64 colors.
In the 1980's neon colors were added, and such names as "ultra pink" appeared. Some of these names were changed in the 90's as 80's terminology lost meaning. Three classic colors underwent name changes over the years as well:
The 90's saw the first incident of retired crayon colors since the 1940's. Eight colors were forever removed from Crayola boxes:
They were replaced with eight new colors, and the retired colors were enshrined in the Crayola Hall of Fame.
In 1993 Crayola introduced 16 new colors and invited Crayola customers to name them. Colors such as "macaroni and cheese" and "razzmatazz" were born.
The last colors were added in 1998, bringing the total color count up to 120. That is just for standard crayons. In 2003, 4 more colors were voted out of the box by consumers, and 4 new colors were added.
After this, they combined Munsell colors with Crayola colors to continue to create new crayons for their palette. By 1957 there were 48 colors available. 1958 saw that number increase to 64 colors.
In the 1980's neon colors were added, and such names as "ultra pink" appeared. Some of these names were changed in the 90's as 80's terminology lost meaning. Three classic colors underwent name changes over the years as well:
- Indian red became chestnut
- Prussian blue became midnight blue
- Flesh became peach
The 90's saw the first incident of retired crayon colors since the 1940's. Eight colors were forever removed from Crayola boxes:
- Violet Blue
- Maize
- Raw Umber
- Blue Gray
- Orange Yellow
- Orange Red
- Lemon Yellow
- Green Blue
They were replaced with eight new colors, and the retired colors were enshrined in the Crayola Hall of Fame.
In 1993 Crayola introduced 16 new colors and invited Crayola customers to name them. Colors such as "macaroni and cheese" and "razzmatazz" were born.
The last colors were added in 1998, bringing the total color count up to 120. That is just for standard crayons. In 2003, 4 more colors were voted out of the box by consumers, and 4 new colors were added.
Some Crayola Trivia
- The name crayola is from two words: "craie" (chalk) and "oleaginous" (oily)
- There are 120 colors of Crayola.
- The smell of Crayola crayons was the 18th most recognizable smell to Americans, according to a study by Yale University.
- Blue is listed as America's most preferred color of crayon.
- There are over 100 types of Crayola crayons, including; scented, glow-in-the-dark, and glitter.
- A standard crayon is 3.5 inches high.
- A large or jumbo crayon is 4 inches high.
- The first built-in crayon sharpener was introduced in 1958
- Crayola owns Silly Putty
- Crayola was purchased by Hallmark in 1984
- In 1998 the US Postal Service a Crayola postage stamp.
- The Crayola Experience is a museum and learning center in Easton Pennsylvania. It is home to the world's largest crayon.
- The world's largest crayon is 15 feet long and was made entirely from used and broken blue crayons sent in from children around the world.
How cool is that? Imagine what could be built from all of the crayons we've ever used in our childhood!
But You Can Recycle Your Crayons!
Over 3 billion crayons are made by Crayola every day. Since they are inexpensive, people usually replace broken or dull crayons with new, sharp crayons. This can create a lot of unnecessary waste.
If you are really ambitious and artistic, you could try to build the world's next biggest crayon.
- Save those broken crayons for craft projects!
- Melt crayon stubs and pour into new molds to create pretty, shaped crayons.
- Add melted crayon wax to home made candles for new color.
- Grate crayons between two pieces of wax paper, then hot iron for pretty "stained glass" art.
- Dip pine cones in melted wax to make pretty Christmas tree ornaments.
- Drizzle melted crayons on canvas or wood to create unique art. You can also arrange crayon stubs then melt with a hair dryer or heat gun to create swirls.
- Crayola even sells a crayon maker. This product allows children to recycle their old crayons into new, personalized versions.
If you are really ambitious and artistic, you could try to build the world's next biggest crayon.
Other Crayola Products
Today stores like Walmart, Kmart or Target might have whole aisles devoted just to Crayola products. That is a long way from the humble 8-count box of crayons in 1903!
After the introduction of these two products, Crayola didn't market many new items. Therefore, by the by the year 2000, the company was beginning to lag behind some of it's competitors, such as Rose Art.
Crayola crayons were mainly purchased as back-to-school products, with sales throughout the remainder of the year remaining low.
Even though other Crayola products, such as watercolor paints, were available, few people bought them unless they were needed for school.
Afraid of product association being limited only to crayons and markers, Crayola devised a new marketing scheme, and began advertising it's products as something children could enjoy all year.
To boost their sales, Crayola had to take advantage of the growing technology as well as expand their art supply line.
They began the "Make Play" campaign, and introduced a series of products that would not be perceived as "only" school supplies.
Crayola now makes chalk, sidewalk chalk, water color paints, glitter glue, ink, modeling clay and art paper.
The company has also stamped it's name on hundreds of other products that promote art, such as palettes, brushes, easels, art kits, air brushes, and more.
Some of Crayola's innovative creations include:
These days I only break out the64 count box of Crayola crayons when I'm coloring with my daughters, but I still keep Crayola colored pencils and markers in my professional art supplies.
Some of my other favorite Crayola products, for both my girls and myself include their paints (which can be very flexible for even advanced art projects) and theirsketch papers--some of which take pen and ink beautifully.
And of course their Color Wonder markers are the best invention ever!
- Crayola brand magic markers were introduced in 1978.
- Crayola colored pencils appeared in 1987
After the introduction of these two products, Crayola didn't market many new items. Therefore, by the by the year 2000, the company was beginning to lag behind some of it's competitors, such as Rose Art.
Crayola crayons were mainly purchased as back-to-school products, with sales throughout the remainder of the year remaining low.
Even though other Crayola products, such as watercolor paints, were available, few people bought them unless they were needed for school.
Afraid of product association being limited only to crayons and markers, Crayola devised a new marketing scheme, and began advertising it's products as something children could enjoy all year.
To boost their sales, Crayola had to take advantage of the growing technology as well as expand their art supply line.
They began the "Make Play" campaign, and introduced a series of products that would not be perceived as "only" school supplies.
Crayola now makes chalk, sidewalk chalk, water color paints, glitter glue, ink, modeling clay and art paper.
The company has also stamped it's name on hundreds of other products that promote art, such as palettes, brushes, easels, art kits, air brushes, and more.
Some of Crayola's innovative creations include:
- The Crayola Glow Dome
- Crayola Color Expansion Glow Board
- Crayola Sketcher Projector
- Telescoping Crayon Tower
- Crayola Marker Airbrush Set
- Dry Erase Activity Center
- Color Wonder Drawing Pad
- Crayola Cling Creator
These days I only break out the64 count box of Crayola crayons when I'm coloring with my daughters, but I still keep Crayola colored pencils and markers in my professional art supplies.
Some of my other favorite Crayola products, for both my girls and myself include their paints (which can be very flexible for even advanced art projects) and theirsketch papers--some of which take pen and ink beautifully.
And of course their Color Wonder markers are the best invention ever!
Crayola marker pads are a great paper for pen and ink doodles and cartoons.
Crayola Makes Art Fun, and Makes Fun Artists
Even though many artists out-grow Crayolas as they discover new tools, they never forget how much they enjoyed a new box of crayons or a new package of markers.
Perhaps they remember their first art kits being packaged in brightly colored Crayola carrying cases. There is no doubt that Crayola had a major cultural as well as artistic impact on several generations of children.
With their brilliant advertising campaign, and catchy slogans like "Give Everything Imaginable", Crayola managed to turn art into play, rather than homework.
This change in the public's viewpoint may have had a huge impact on keeping traditional art alive in this age of technology.
At the same time, they have brought color and memories into the lives of millions of children around the world, and successfully opened the doorway to limitless creativity that has lasted many artists a lifetime.
Perhaps they remember their first art kits being packaged in brightly colored Crayola carrying cases. There is no doubt that Crayola had a major cultural as well as artistic impact on several generations of children.
With their brilliant advertising campaign, and catchy slogans like "Give Everything Imaginable", Crayola managed to turn art into play, rather than homework.
This change in the public's viewpoint may have had a huge impact on keeping traditional art alive in this age of technology.
At the same time, they have brought color and memories into the lives of millions of children around the world, and successfully opened the doorway to limitless creativity that has lasted many artists a lifetime.
Sharesies: What is your favorite Crayola crayon color? Mine is still electric blue. Not sure what the names are? Visit the awesome color chart from Crayola!
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