Lykkers, have you ever thought about how ordinary pencils used to be a luxury item?

Today, we grab a pencil without a second thought, but there was a time when only the wealthy could afford one. The history of pencils is full of surprising twists, and we’re about to uncover them all!

The Precious Stone That Changed Everything

We all know that pencils contain graphite, but did you know that graphite and diamonds share the same carbon composition? While diamonds shine bright, graphite appears dull and gray, yet it was once just as valuable!

In the 17th and 18th centuries, graphite was incredibly rare, making it a high-priced resource. At its peak, a ton of graphite cost around 1,300 British pounds—an amount that, when adjusted for today’s value, would be an astronomical sum.

Britain’s Monopoly and Strict Control

At the time, Britain had sole control over the world’s highest-quality graphite mines. This monopoly allowed them to dictate prices, ensuring that only the elite could afford pencils. But controlling such a valuable resource wasn’t easy.

The British government treated graphite mines like high-security zones, guarding them with armed officers. Workers were searched before leaving the mines to prevent graphite smuggling. Those caught stealing faced severe punishments, from public beatings to even worse consequences. Despite the risks, the allure of high profits led many to take the gamble.

A French Discovery That Changed the Market

Britain’s monopoly seemed unbreakable—until an adventurous French explorer named Pierre made a game-changing discovery. While exploring Siberia, he stumbled upon vast graphite deposits. This discovery meant that Britain could no longer control the global graphite supply.

As a result, the prices of pencils began to drop. But there was another challenge: how to turn this new graphite into affordable pencils for the masses.

How an Inventor Made Pencils Affordable

Enter Nicolas-Jacques Conté, a French scientist and inventor. He found a way to mix powdered graphite with clay, allowing manufacturers to produce pencils at a much lower cost. This simple yet brilliant innovation made pencils accessible to everyone.

But Conté didn’t stop there—he also discovered that adjusting the ratio of graphite to clay changed the pencil’s hardness. This led to the development of the hardness scale we still use today, from soft 2B pencils to harder H pencils.

Why Are Pencils Yellow?

Have you ever wondered why many pencils are painted yellow? This trend began in the United States when manufacturers wanted to highlight the use of high-quality “Chinese graphite.” Since yellow symbolized royalty in China, American companies painted their pencils bright yellow to associate them with prestige and excellence. The design became so popular that it remains a standard color for pencils today.

The Lasting Impact of Pencils

Thanks to Conté’s innovation, pencils are now one of the most widely used writing tools in the world. Artists, students, and writers rely on them daily. The grading system he introduced—HB, B, H—still helps us choose the perfect pencil for different tasks, from sketching to technical drawing. Without these historical breakthroughs, something as simple as a pencil might still be a luxury item!

A Small Tool with a Big History

Who would have thought that something as simple as a pencil had such an extraordinary past? From being a rare, heavily guarded resource to becoming an essential everyday tool, the pencil’s journey is truly fascinating.

Lykkers, next time you pick up a pencil, take a moment to appreciate the history it carries. What other everyday objects do you think have surprising origins? Let’s keep the conversation going!

How Pencils Are Made

Video: Factora