Guide Note

Crayons are colorful sticks of wax charcoal, chalk, or other material used for writing and drawing. Wax crayons are the most common type of crayon.

Crayons come in a variety of colors and types including glow-in-the-dark, glitter, neon, color changing, scented, and even bath tub friendly versions. They are inexpensive, non-toxic, blunt-tipped and washable, making them ideal for young children. They are also convenient for school-age children and have become an essential school supply.

Fast Facts

1. Most popular brand is Crayola
2. Some of the earlier colors retired
3. Most popular colors are blue and red
4. Third most recognizable smell behind coffee and peanut butter
5. Children use about 730 by the age of 10 ¹

History

The crayon first appeared in Europe. This early crayon was a stick of oil and charcoal. In time, colored pigments replaced the charcoal, and wax was used instead to provide a more durable crayon.

Binney & Smith were the first to manufacturer a child's crayon in 1903. They named their crayon brand Crayola, which was first coined by Edwin Binney's wife Alice Stead Binney. She took the French words craie, meaning chalk, and oleaginous, meaning oily, and combined them.

The first Crayola crayons were sold in a box of eight basic colors and sold for a nickel. In 1949, Crayola added 40 new colors. They continued to add colors over the following decades until in 1998 they had 120 colors in the largest box.

Recalls and Safety

There have been reports that of crayons manufactured in China contained contained lead. Check for a label containing "Conforms to to ASTM D-4236", to be sure that they are safe. ²

In May of 2000, the Seattle Post Intelligencer reported that three major crayon brands, Crayola, Prang, and Rose Art, contained significant levels of asbestos. This report was found to be false; talc had been mistaken for asbestos.

Some experts say that even if there had been asbestos in the crayons they would not be dangerous because they need to be inhaled to cause any harm. When caked in wax asbestos can not be inhaled. ³