Crayon

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Crayola Ad 1905

One Made it

Crayon is a stick of colored wax, charcoal, clay, chalk, or other materials used for writing and drawing. A crayon made of pigment with a dry binder is a pastel; when made of oiled chalk, it is called an oil pastel. A grease pencil or Chinese marker (UK: Chinagraph pencil) is made of colored hardened grease. There are also watercolor crayons, sometimes called water-soluble crayons. Crayons are available in a range of prices and are easy to work with. They are less messy than most paints and markers, blunt (removing the risk of sharp points), non-toxic, and available in a wide variety of colors. These characteristics make them particularly good instruments for teaching small children to draw in addition to being used widely by student and professional artists.

History

The history of the crayon is not entirely clear. The French word crayon, originally meaning "chalk pencil", dates back to the 16th century and was used to reference both chalk and crayon drawings. Early crayons were made of a mixture of charcoal and oil. Later, powdered pigments of various hues replaced the charcoal. It was discovered that substituting wax for the oil in the mixture made the resulting sticks sturdier and easier to handle.

In the early 20th century, companies began to manufacture crayons commercially. One of the most notable was Binney & Smith Company, the creator of Crayola crayons, which first introduced their product line in 1903. Since then, Crayola has become a dominant brand in the crayon market, offering a wide variety of crayon types and colors.

Composition

Crayons are traditionally made from a mixture of paraffin wax and color pigments. The paraffin wax is heated until it melts, and then the pigment is added. This mixture is then poured into molding machines that shape them into crayons. Once they cool, the crayons are removed from the molds and are ready for packaging. The quality of crayons can vary significantly depending on the quality of the pigment and the exact composition of the wax, which affects how smoothly the crayons apply color to a surface.

Types

There are several types of crayons, including:

• Wax crayons: The most common type, made primarily of paraffin wax.
• Plastic crayons: Made of a plastic compound, these are more durable than traditional wax crayons.
• Watercolor crayons: Can be used with water to create a watercolor effect.
• Fabric crayons: Designed for use on fabrics.
• Construction paper crayons: Formulated to give vibrant colors on darker papers such as construction paper.

Uses

Crayons are used by people of all ages, for various purposes including art and craft projects, educational activities, and professional art. They are particularly popular among children for their ease of use and the ability to create colorful drawings without the need for paint or brushes. In education, crayons are used to help young children develop motor skills and explore their creativity. Professional artists also use crayons, especially oil pastels, for serious artistic endeavors due to their vibrant colors and versatility.

Environmental Impact

The environmental impact of crayons, particularly those made of paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum, has led to concerns about sustainability and environmental health. In response, some companies have started producing crayons made from soybean wax and other more sustainable materials.

See Also

• Pastel
• Oil pastel
• Grease pencil
• Charcoal (art)
• Binney & Smith Company
• Crayola

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