It’s one of those things people are exposed to every single day but few actually know their true origin. Why are pencils yellow? Why not red, or green, or whatever for that matter?
Well, because as a loyal I’m A Useless Info Junkie reader you should know the answer to this kind of questions, here’s the interesting story.
Even though yellow pencils are nowadays considered an American icon, it all started in Europe. At the end of the 19th century, Czech manufacturer KOH-I-NOOR developed the iconic pencil 1500 – a high quality pencil that came in all gradations. (the article continues after the ad)
Inspired by its name, (Koh-i-noor is a famous yellow Indian diamond that’s on the right of Queen Elizabeth’s II crown), the company decided to paint the new pencil yellow. This yellow color though, had one more symbolic meaning.
At the time, China was considered the country with the best graphite in the world. Because Chinese associated yellow color with royalty and luxury, it was a way for Koh-i-noor to communicate their high quality graphite and this “regal” feeling.
The pencil 1500 was quite expensive but it became a huge success and it was quickly considered the best pencil in the market. As a result, copycats started imitating the pencil and that’s why even today, pencils are yellow.
If you like what you read, then you will definitely love this one: This Is Why Beer Bottles Are Usually Brown Or Green
Photo: Walmart, modulor
Photoshop: I’m A Useless Info Junkie
Sources: THE YELLOW PENCIL | Why Are Pencils Yellow? | The True Story Behind The Yellow Pencil Meaning | KOH-I-NOOR History | The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance
