Pencil is a writing tool made of wood or plastic and filled with graphite or charcoal. It is a basic tool used for writing, drawing or sketching.
- First known pencils were produced in the 16th century by Germans
- The modern pencil (made of wood and graphite) was invented in 1795 by Nicholas-Jacques Conte
- Pencils were once made with lead, but after it was discovered that lead could be toxic, graphite became the standard material for the pencil's core
- Pencils were used for marking spots on ballots, which led to the use of the phrase, 'to mark your ballot with a pencil'
- Pencils were widely used during the Industrial Revolution for documentation and record-keeping
A writing instrument that uses ink to leave a mark on the surface
A pencil with a replaceable and retractable lead
A tool with ink enclosed in a container and a tip
Basic writing tool made of wood and filled with graphite
Pencils filled with colored wax used for drawing and illustrations
Pencils with replaceable and retractable lead
Pencils made of wood are eco-friendly because they are biodegradable and come from a renewable source. However, mechanical pencils may not be as eco-friendly due to the plastic parts.
Yes, pencils can be used for watercolor art. You can use a watercolor pencil or sketch with a regular pencil and then paint over the lines with watercolor paint.
The HB marking on a pencil stands for 'hard black'. It is a designation of the pencil's hardness and darkness. A higher number before the H means the pencil is harder, and a higher number before the B means the pencil is softer and darker.
You can sharpen a pencil without a sharpener by using a knife or a pair of scissors. Hold the blade or scissor perpendicular to the pencil and shave off the wood until the lead is revealed. Then, sharpen the lead with the blade or a piece of sandpaper.
It may be possible to erase pen marks with a pencil eraser, but it depends on the type of pen and the surface you are working on. It is always best to test a small, inconspicuous area first before attempting to erase pen marks.