More Than You Probably Cared To Know About...

Crayola Crayons

• In 1903, the Binney & Smith Company made the first box of Crayola crayons costing only a nickel and containing eight colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown and black.

• The now-classic 64-box of crayons, complete with built-in sharpener, was introduced in 1958.

• In 1958, the color 'prussian blue' was renamed to 'midnight blue' in response to teacher requests. Also, due in part to the civil rights movements of the 1960s, the color 'flesh' was renamed 'peach'.

• The most recent additions to Crayola's palette were made in 1998, consisting of 24 new colors ranging from 'Antique Brass' to 'Outer Space'. Currently there are 120 varieties of crayons produced.

• On average, children between the ages of two and seven color 28 minutes each day.

• The average child in the U.S. will wear down 730 crayons by his or her tenth birthday.

• The scent of Crayola crayons is considered to be one of the twenty most recognizable by adults.

• Red and black are the most popular crayon colors, mostly because they tend to be used for outlining.

• Binney & Smith are dedicated to environmental responsibility. Crayons that don't meet quality standards are remelted and used to make new crayons. Ninety percent of Crayola packaging is made from recycled cardboard and the company makes sure the wood in their colored pencils doesn't originate from tropical rain forests.

• Binney & Smith produce two billion Crayola crayons a year, which, if placed end to end, would circle the Earth 4.5 times.