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Ever wondered how the simple pencil became one of the most essential tools in our lives? In this video, we dive into the fascinating history of the pencil — from its humble beginnings to its evolution over centuries. Stick around, and let’s uncover the story behind the tool we all use every day!
The pencil was invented in 1564 when a vast graphite (black carbon) mine was discovered in Borrowdale, Cumbria, England. The pure graphite was sliced into sheets and then cut into square rods. These graphite rods were inserted into hand-carved wooden holders, resulting in the first pencils.
In 1795, Nicholas Jacques Conte, a French officer in Napoleon’s army, patented the modern method of kiln-firing powdered graphite mixed with clay to produce the graphite rods used in pencils.
Pencils are typically crafted from soft woods most commonly cedar, from trees that are 12 to 14 years old. The two main types of cedar used are:
You can often detect a sharp fragrance on pencils made from this wood, which is found in the mountains of California and Kenya.
In 1795, Nicholas Jacques Conte, a French officer in Napoleon’s army, patented the modern method of kiln-firing powdered graphite mixed with clay to produce the graphite rods used in pencils.
Pencil leads are made from a mixture of graphite, clay and water. This mixture is poured into molds and baked at temperatures between 1,400°F and 1,500°F. After baking, the leads are placed into a wooden holder, where glue is applied. The assembly is then compressed with 1,800 pounds of pressure for one hour until the glue dries.
There is no universal grading system for pencils, and their hardness can vary depending on the blend of graphite and clay used. Pencil grades are determined by two main factors:
The more graphite added to the lead, the softer and blacker the pencil becomes.
For example:
When more clay is added to the lead, the pencil becomes harder and lighter, resulting in grades like:
There are many different types of pencils available including:
Ever wondered how the simple pencil became one of the most essential tools in our lives? In this video, we dive into the fascinating history of the pencil — from its humble beginnings to its evolution over centuries. Stick around, and let’s uncover the story behind the tool we all use every day!
The pencil was invented in 1564 when a vast graphite (black carbon) mine was discovered in Borrowdale, Cumbria, England. The pure graphite was sliced into sheets and then cut into square rods. These graphite rods were inserted into hand-carved wooden holders, resulting in the first pencils.
In 1795, Nicholas Jacques Conte, a French officer in Napoleon’s army, patented the modern method of kiln-firing powdered graphite mixed with clay to produce the graphite rods used in pencils.
Pencils are typically crafted from soft woods most commonly cedar, from trees that are 12 to 14 years old. The two main types of cedar used are:
You can often detect a sharp fragrance on pencils made from this wood, which is found in the mountains of California and Kenya.
In 1795, Nicholas Jacques Conte, a French officer in Napoleon’s army, patented the modern method of kiln-firing powdered graphite mixed with clay to produce the graphite rods used in pencils.
Pencil leads are made from a mixture of graphite, clay and water. This mixture is poured into molds and baked at temperatures between 1,400°F and 1,500°F. After baking, the leads are placed into a wooden holder, where glue is applied. The assembly is then compressed with 1,800 pounds of pressure for one hour until the glue dries.
There is no universal grading system for pencils, and their hardness can vary depending on the blend of graphite and clay used. Pencil grades are determined by two main factors:
The more graphite added to the lead, the softer and blacker the pencil becomes.
For example:
When more clay is added to the lead, the pencil becomes harder and lighter, resulting in grades like:
There are many different types of pencils available including:
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