Crayola Crayons- A Guide to Crayola Crayons

There are very few people who have grown up in the U.S. who don't have fond memories of Crayola crayons from their childhoods, and many can still remember their favorite colors.  Crayola crayons, in fact, are such a beloved element of Americana that a box of them resides in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History.  Like many other iconic reminders of childhood, Crayola crayons have their dedicated fans, and there are many collectors' websites. 

Crayola crayons were first produced in 1903.  They were invented by Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith.  The first box contained eight crayons; the colors were red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black. 

An important turning point in the history of Crayola crayons occurred in 1958, when the first 64-color box with built-in sharpener debuted. This is the Crayola box that many people picture when they think of classic Crayola, and it is one of these boxes that sits in the Smithsonian. Although Binney and Smith have made a number of quality art products and supplies over the years, probably nothing the company does garners more interest than the process of introducing or retiring a color. 

In one show of the power of color loyalty, the classic burnt sienna was spared from retirement by over 60,000 crayon fans who voted to keep it in action. Other classic colors, such as lemon yellow, raw umber, and violet blue have been put out to pasture, though, and are only periodically available as reissues from Binney and Smith.  Of course, it is not necessary to be a collector or to know the history of Crayola crayons to enjoy Crayola products; they are just as popular with today's children as they were with yesterday's.