(2020, August 28). But why are there so many variations when #2 is so commonly used? It wasnt until 1770 that we learned that an extract from plants could erase like none other. The first whiteboard pen was invented by Jerry Woolf, who worked in Techform Laboratories. Many interesting facts are part of the erasers history and make this useful objects story worth telling. In 1996, fine point Magic Marker II DryErase markers were introduced for detailed writing and drawing onwhiteboards, dry erase boards, and glass surfaces. Before rubber erasers used today, tablets of wax were used to erase lead or charcoal marks from paper. Was the pencil or eraser invented first? Together with vulcanized rubber, pencil manufacturers would add pumice to the rubber improving the eraser by creating just enough friction to erase the marks . Lastly, abrasives such as grit are combined with dye to give the eraser a certain color. ThoughtCo. The first pencils were made from graphite mined from a deposit in Cumberland, England. A high strength ferrule according to claim 1 Wherein from 40 to 75 V-shaped 90 serrations of at least 0.001 inch in depth are provided per inch. Most common erasers are in block form or placed at the pencil's end for quick and easy use. This made it much easier and faster to erase smudged pencil marks. It was Priestley who is generally credited for naming rubber. intended for use as a pencil eraser, was advertised by William H. Maurice, a Philadelphia, PA, stationer, in 1847. So you put one of those old erasers on a spinning head, and this thing would grind the rust off your DeSoto. [When, Where & How]. It's true, as Arthur C. Clarke said, that the most advanced technologies are indistinguishable from magic. Emmett co-invented the multipass laser architecture still in use today. This discovery led to the invention of rubber as we know it today! 4. The name ended up generally applying to erasers' construction material rather than erasers themselves, especially after Charles Goodyear figured out how to vulcanize the stuff in the mid-1800s. While these erasers were cheap and plentiful, they had a distinct disadvantage: They were, you know, made of bread. And the ability to make them go away, to start fresh, and express yourself in a whole new way never gets old! History Old Soviet colored pencils with box (circa 1959) Camel's hair Pencil, from Old French pincel, from Latin penicillus a "little tail" (see penis; pincellus is Latin from the post-classical period [1]) originally referred to an artist's fine brush of camel hair, also used for writing before modern lead or chalk pencils. The eraser: Pencils and erasers now go together like peanut butter and jelly. Pencils have evolved over time, with the addition of erasers, different grades of graphite lead, and the development of mechanical pencils. We call this plant extract rubber. The little erasers on pencil ends are known as "plugs." Pencil manufacturers make erasers, too, which makes sense since we tend to think that its a done deal an eraser is a regular component of the everyday pencil. Chalk dust is released, some of which sticks to the eraser until it is cleaned, usually by hitting it against a hard surface. More recently, very low-cost erasers are manufactured from highly plasticized vinyl compounds and made in decorative shapes. Others used wax or bits of stone. [] The metal band that is crimped to hold the eraser to the end of a pencil is a called a ferrule. This residue must then be brushed away with care, as the eraser particles are coated with the graphite and can make new marks. Erasers that have a distinct color are usually mixed with organic dyes, but red erasers are usually made with iron oxide. This probably isnt an article. Required fields are marked *. Most non-U.S. pencil makers use a system known as the HB scale to measure hardness. Their name for the little erasers on pencil ends: plugs!. From there, the rest is history. The first patent for attaching an eraser to a pencil was issued in 1858 to a man from Philadelphia named Hyman Lipman. Less expensive erasers are made from synthetic rubber and synthetic soy-based gum, but more expensive or specialized erasers are made from vinyl, plastic, or gum-like materials. . Erasers are a useful stationary tool used to remove pencil marks from paper. Why did you start a museum dedicated to old-fashioned art supplies? The metal cylinder is termed a pencil ferrule and is conventionally made of, for example, brass or aluminum. 3. 16-108) The present invention relates to new and improved aluminum pencil ferrules. They were convenient, portable and used for taking notes and keeping recordskind of like the tablets we have today. Some artists are very precious about their tools. Vinyl is a type of durable, flexible plastic. However, this isnt a problem, as other erasers also need to be replaced once they are worn down. Earlier versions are also known to have existed. Pencils quickly gained popularity and were mass-produced by the early 1800s. The graphite was pure and solid, perfectly suited for writing, although the only . 1770 Edward Nairne developed the first marketed rubber eraser. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Before rubber, breadcrumbs had been used to erase pencil marks. This chemical can cause allergic reactions or irritate the skin if it comes into contact with it but doesnt pose any long-term health risks. FIGURE 4 shows a cross section taken along line 1VIV of FIGURE 3. This post is part of our 2017 Back-to-School Series. "As they gained notoriety, pink pumice erasers became more popular," says . Interestingly, the properties of an eraser were actually discovered by John Priestley, a philosopher and theologist, who also discovered the existence of oxygen and carbonated liquid. Shortly after this, the first pencils were made in the same area. References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A. Lipman's idea of an attached eraser is a far cry from what eventually became the norm as it cased eraser into its core instead of attaching it to the end. By. So wipe out everything you thought you might know about erasers, and read on. Pencils, erasers, ballpoint pens - it was always fun to start a new term with a new brace of equipment in your pencil case. Some of Magic Erasers most recognized benefits include its ability to remove permanent markers from walls and cast iron without damaging the surface and to remove caked-on messes from grout lines. Nevertheless, this type of eraser did not perform well: it disintegrated when used and eventually died, it was far too reactiveto weather, and it smelled horrible. 1565 Graphite was discovered in Borrowdale, England. But of course, people probably use their iPhones to do that anyway. The conventional pencil ferrules, for example, have strength characteristics using a crush test of 41.6 pounds to crush in the vertical position and 12 pounds to crush in the horizontal; whereas, the identical alloy in a serrated pencil ferrule in accordance with the present invention and illustrated in FIGURE 1 has greatly increased strength characteristics, i.e., using the same crush test required 84.4 pounds to crush in the vertical position and 14 pounds to crush in the horizontal. Do you have a favorite outmoded eraser? Barrel or click erasers are built like mechanical pens with an eraser as a core instead of lead. The stylized word "Art gum" was first used in 1903 and trademarked in the United States in 1907. Heres a bit of pencil history for you: before 1964, Pencil eraser ferrules were made with brass because brass had the appropriate strength to hold a pencil with its eraser.Pencil manufacturers opted for the more expensive brass instead of aluminum when making ferrules because the aluminum ferrules were too easily crushed. The fuel capsule is the size of a small pea. Using a pen or pencil grip is an excellent way, In a world full of writing and drawing instruments, the, The history of the pencil. Until that time the material was known as gum elastic or by its Native American name (via French) caoutchouc. Try gently rubbing the eraser across a piece of fine-grit sandpaper. The next time you grab a #2 pencil, think about its evolution. 1984, p191-193, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "rubber Dictionary definition at Canadaspace.com English Online Dictionary", "Reckendorfer v. Faber 92 U.S. 347 (1875)", "A new Triassic pterosaur from Switzerland (Central Austroalpine, Grisons), Raeticodactylus filisurensis gen. et sp. But when did pencils start looking the way they do today? In 1913, the yellow No. He decided to create a small piece of rubber that could be used to erase these marks from paper; he called his invention an erasable pencil.. Superfine-points and dry erase markers gained popularity in the 1990s. In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimone applied for a patent (French patent #2444) on an invention to sharpen pencils. Erasers as we know them today are a relatively modern invention. Goodyear patented his process in 1844. In 1858, a stationer named Hymen Lipman patented a newfangled pencil with a rubber plug embedded in one end of its wood shaft. Europeans were rubbing out pencil marks with the small cubes of rubber, the substance that Condamine had brought to Europe from South America. Read on to learn about the history of pencils, erasers, sharpeners, markers, highlighters and gel pens and see who invented and patented these writing instruments. As an example of an unusual use, a fiberglass eraser was used for preparing a Pterosaur fossil embedded in a very hard and massive limestone. The Han Dynasty of Ancient China gets credit for the first pulp paper mill back in the 2nd century. It was darker than lead and less toxic. For example, a #1 pencil is soft and will smudge easilygood for artists, bad for test-takers filling in answer bubbles. The speed of rotation allowed less pressure to be used, which minimized paper damage. He tried using a knife or razor blade to do this but found that it left marks on the wood. Biography of John Lee Love, Portable Pencil Sharpener Inventor, A Short History of the Ball of Goo Called Silly Putty, The History of Elevators From Top to Bottom, A Brief History of the Invention of Plastics, The Discovery of Oxygen and Joseph Priestley, Biography of Thomas Adams, American Inventor. Copyright 2015-2022 - South Florida Reporter. Which of these back to school things would you rather. However, the first rubber erasers weren't very good. Eating a bit of eraser will not cause any symptoms, but if someone swallows a large enough piece, they may choke. Conte's method of kiln firing powdered graphite and clay allowed pencils to be made to any hardness or softness which was very important to artists and draftsmen. -. A high strength aluminum pencil ferrule comprising a hollow cylinder of aluminum having a plurality of longitudinal serrations on the outer face thereof, said serrations covering the major portion of the outer face of said cylinder and extending longitudinally over the entire sur face thereofv 2. If desired, the serrations may cover the en tire outer face of the ferrule. The substance was rubber. References Erasers were attached to the ends of . CBC Kids uses cookies in order to function and give you a great experience. Originally, they were made from corn oil vulcanized, (made . Chalk writing leaves light-colored particles weakly adhering to a dark surface (e.g., white on black, or yellow on green); it can be rubbed off with a soft material, such as a rag. Its mostly the result of standardized testing. Faber-Castell AG is a manufacturer of pens, pencils, other office supplies (e.g., staplers, slide rules, erasers, rulers) and art supplies, as well as high-end writing instruments and luxury leather goods. Nearly 60 years after Lipmans innovation, the rubber-tipped pencil became a hit. Tablets of rubber (or wax) were used to erase lead or charcoal marks from paper before there were rubber erasers. However, raw rubber was perishable. To help the rubber last longer, it is generally mixed with sulfur. Were going to say no. Instead, aim to form the clay into thick, sturdy shapes that will be able to withstand vigorous rubbing. History A pencil eraser Before rubber erasers used today, tablets of wax were used to erase lead or charcoal marks from paper. As you brush an eraser along a pencil mark, the abrasives softly scrape the underlying fibers of the sheet, loosening the graphite particles. They gradually lose their efficacy and resilience as they become infused with particles picked up from erasing and from their environment. Who Invented the Bus? It is not meant to be used on lighter grades of paper as it may smudge the paper. The name rubber came from rubbing and was given to the object between 1770 and 1778. Bits of rough stone such as sandstone or pumice were used to remove small errors from parchment or papyrus documents written in ink. This is because the friction of rubbing an eraser across the page heats the material and makes it sticky, allowing it to easily pick the graphite markings up from the page. Pencils with built-in erasers on the tops are a largely American phenomenon. Before 1564, artists mainly used stylus-like pencils. Elastomers can be formed into thin cylindrical or other shapes to be used as extendable erasers. Plus, obviously, the sound quality is richer with vinyl. As indicated hereinafter, the pencil ferrule of the present invention provides numerous advantages over those conventionally used. Why is that? Rubber erasers were invented by coincidence. The earliest pencils were made from graphite mixed with water, clay, or wax to make them easier to hold. They are not suited to erase large areas because of their tendency to deform under vigorous erasing. Before rubber erasers were invented, people used a variety of materials to erase their mistakes. The lasers were electrically . Freshly sharpened . B. Blair of Philadelphia. The Swiss naturalist Conrad Gessner is credited as being the first person to describe putting graphite into a wooden holder. You've got yourself a very special piece of history. The graphite was pure and solid, perfectly suited for writing, although the only people using it at first were shepherds marking their sheep. Those ubiquitous pink erasers, in particularthe pencil-toppers and Pink Pearls of the worldmake use of pulverized pumice to add abrasiveness. Erasers are one of the most useful office supplies you can have. In these types, a thermoplastic elastomer combines a styrene resin elastomer and an olefin resin. Art gum erasers are made of soft, coarse rubber and are excellent for erasing larger areas because they dont damage the paper. The Eraser Was Discovered In 1770. The Magic Eraser is a cleaning tool that was created by Mr. Clean in 2003. A lot of artists prefer hand-held erasers. When you use a white eraser on paper, it simply removes the graphite without scraping away any of the paper. Though Joseph Priestly may have discovered rubber's erasing properties, it's the British engineer Edward Nairne who is generally credited with developing and marketing the first rubber eraser in Europe. The idea of using rubber as an eraser was not new; however, Lipmans innovation was in creating a small stick of rubber instead of simply using a piece of rubber as one would use a sponge or rag. Later it was patented by Pilot Pen in 1975. Originally made from natural rubber, but now usually from cheaper SBR, this type contains mineral fillers and an abrasive such as pumice with a plasticizer such as vegetable oil. Required fields are marked *. In 1979, Paper Mate introduced the Eraser Mate or Erasermate brand. The serrated aluminum ferrule improved the production cost of the common pencil. These erasers have better erasability for erasing pencil marks compared to conventional vinyl erasers. Its a kind of heaven when the eraser is soft and you can flip the pencil around and use it. Heres a crash course on how the #2 pencils history has been written: The pencil has been around for ages, although you might not recognize its earlier cousins. It's not true, however, that the world's most magical technologies are all related to computers. When it comes to todays pencil, there are a few traits you probably associate with it. This trick will work for a while, but it means the eraser will eventually need to be replaced. Hyman Lipman received a patent for adding an eraser to a pencil in 1858. Graphite is a form of carbon, first discovered in the Seathwaite Valley on the side of the mountain Seathwaite Fell in Borrowdale, near Keswick, England, sometime around 1564 by an unknown person. Many people are wondering when was the first eraser invented. The older style pink eraser has a higher concentration of clay and rubber particles in it which causes more damage to the page. Artists need a wider variety of pencil hardness so they can create a larger range of tones. On another note, the serrated ferrule revamped the pencils look. The graphite discovered in England was wrapped in paper, string, or twigs. Where Did Eggnog Originate and Who Invented it? Well, the best way to get rid of that goo is with an eraser. What was life like for Canadian kids 150 years ago? When scannable answer forms became popular, the technology handled #2 pencils bestthey had trouble picking up marks from harder pencils, and the softer ones would smudge. https://www.thoughtco.com/writing-instrument-history-4083355 (accessed July 17, 2023). Erasers for chalkboards are made, with a block of plastic or wood, much larger than an eraser for pen or pencil, with a layer of felt on one side. If you want to find out more information about erasers, Ive put together frequently asked questions about them, so you might find some cool information for yourself. Nairne sold natural rubber erasers for the high price of three shillings per half-inch cube. An entrepreneur named Joseph Reckendorfer guessed that the pencil-plus-eraser would become a blockbuster product and bought the patent from Lipman for $100,000, about $2 million in todays dollars. Pencils work because, when they are put to paper, their graphite mingles with the fiber particles that comprise the paper. He called his process vulcanization, after Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. Silas Delmar Conger, who praised the built-in eraser as a symbol of American resilience and pluck. You know that the standard school pencil is a #2. The more widely used pencil ferrules are made from brass in view of their increased strength over the aluminum. There is a great deal of history behind the #2 pencil, including its origin, evolution, and current use. If a rubber is white, then it has likely been produced with oxide and titanium oxide, which alter the pigmentation of the eraser. Hymen Lipman patented attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil, but he later lost the license. Your email address will not be published. Correcting mistakes since 1770, National Rubber Eraser Day on April 15th commemorates the date the invention first began making written errors disappear. They are useful in the present and future as well. The history of the eraser is a bit fuzzy. So much so that in 1915 it inspired a sermon by the Rev. The origin of the #2 pencil. The longitudinal serrations are a plurality of discrete longitudinal grooves or embossments which run from end to end, i.e., lengthwise all the way from the front most portion of the ferrule to the rear most portion of the ferrule. When used regularly to erase mistakes made with a pencil, erasers can get dirty. Additional advantages inherent in the pencil ferrule of the present invention are the improved mechanical properties thereof. Pencil Artist of the Week: Anatolij Grebnev, Pencil Artist of the Week: Stephan van den Burg, Completely Random Facts of the Week Issue 43. The square lead was glued into the slot, and a thin strip of wood was used to fill the rest of the slot. This revolutionary invention changed classrooms and art studios alike and has been helping people make mistakes ever since! Hymen Lipman patented attaching an eraser to the end of a pencil, but he later lost the license. He sold them under the name Lipmans Eraser at his store in Philadelphia until his death in 1868 at age 84. However, they are so soft as to be imprecise in use. It is especially suited to cleaning large areas without damaging the paper. Many of today's most high-tech erasers are made of vinyl. Erasers have been around for a long time, but not until the early 19th century did they become mass-produced and widely available to the general public. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered as in all respects illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency are intended to be embraced therein. Just add your email and youre on the list. The mystery, of course, is miniature golfing. The same guy who discovered oxygen helped to invent erasers. Mary Bellis covered inventions and inventors for ThoughtCo for 18 years. It was not until 1770 that we discovered a natural plant rubber could be used as an eraser. Rubber erasers come from the sap of rubber trees, which are extracted and treated with chemicals to form a solid. It used a replaceable cylinder of eraser material held by a chuck driven on the axis of a motor. The solution to that problem came in 1839 when inventor Charles Goodyear invented the method of curing rubber - vulcanization. This led him to design an eraser that would use a sponge as opposed to cloth or paper. Expand your stationary kit when you discover a wide range of quality pencils and erasers from The Pen Company. However, rubber was not an easy substance to work with because it went bad very easily just like food, rubber would rot. In the same year, an English engineer named Edward Nairne found that rubber could remove pencil traces instead of breadcrumbs. A dry eraser could not erase these with a wet cloth. Mistakes happen, after all. . Charles Goodyear, an American inventor, is credited with inventing the kneaded eraser around 1839. Lou Brooks, a professional illustrator, is the founder of the Museum of Forgotten Art Supplies. Commonly sold in retail outlets with school supplies and home improvement products, this soft, malleable putty appears in many colors and under numerous brand names. Welcome to South Florida Reporter, your go-to source for news and information for the Sunshine State.
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