Who invented the crayon and what is the history of Crayola Crayons?

Crayola® did not invent the crayon. The "modern" crayon originated in Europe, initially made from a mixture of charcoal and oil, later replaced by powdered pigments. Wax was later substituted for oil, making the sticks sturdier and easier to handle.

In 1902, Crayola Crayons were invented by Binney & Smith and first offered for sale in 1903. The trade name "Crayola" was coined by Mrs. Edwin Binney, combining "craie" (French for chalk stick) and "oleaginous" (oily).

Crayola manufactures over 3 billion crayons each year, primarily made from paraffin wax and colour pigment. Learn more about Crayola's colourful history at Crayola.com.