Why Are Pencils Yellow?
- Pencils have been yellow since the 1890s -

Pencil FAQs

• NOINTS (number one info needed to survive) - Pencil lead is graphite! (like, who doesn't know that?) Graphite makes a much darker mark on paper than lead.
• Humans began using graphite for writing purposes in 1564. (Some sources say Extraterrestrials began even before that). Originally, graphite sticks were wrapped in string.
• A pencil can write 45,000 words. (Now guess how many words you've ever written based on how many pencils you've ever used up...)
• A typical pencil can draw a line 35 miles long. (This is the part where you tie a pencil to a yardstick to the back of your car and go for a drive....very slowly.)

So Why Are They Yellow?

Apparently.... During the 1800s, the best graphite was Chinese. For the Chinese, the color yellow symbolised royalty and respect. To respect the Chinese, the Americans chose to color pencils yellow! Today, over 75% of pencils are yellow.

I wish they'd been blue. That color.