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The history of Crayola
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We did this because...
We did this because no one knows about the history of markers. -
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Crayola is created
Joseph Binney founds Peekskill Chemical Works in upstate New York for producing charcoal and lamp black. -
Joseph Binney sets up headquarters
Joseph Binney sets up headquarters in New York City, joined by son Edwin Binney and nephew C. Harold Smith. -
Joseph Binney retires.
Joseph Binney retires; Edwin and C. Harold Smith, form a partnership and call their company Binney & Smith. Early products include red oxide pigment used in barn paint and carbon black used for car tires. During this time, Binney & Smith took an active role in the development and production of carbon black from natural gas, after natural gas deposits were found throughout Pennsylvania. -
1900
The Company begins producing slate school pencils in its newly opened Easton, Pennsylvania mill, located on the Bushkill Creek. Binney & Smith inexpensive black colorants were entered into the chemistry industries competition at the 1900 Paris Exposition under the title “carbon gas blacks, lamp or oil blacks, “Peerless Black” and earned the company a gold medal award in chemical and pharmaceutical arts. -
1902
Binney & Smith developed the Staonal Marking crayon.
Listening to needs of teachers, Binney & Smith introduced the first dustless school chalk.
Binney & Smith incorporates September 30, in Easton, Pennsylvania and serves as general distributor for several carbon black producers, introducing carbon black to other countries. -
1903
Noticing a need for safe, quality, affordable wax crayons, the company produces the first box of eight Crayola crayons containing red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black sticks. It sells for a nickel. The Crayola name, coined by Edwin Binney’s wife Alice, comes from “craie,” the French word for chalk, and “ola,” from “oleaginous.” -
1904
The company wins a gold Medal at the 1904 St. Louis World Exposition for their An-Du-Septic Dustless Chalk. -
1920
Crayola Rubens crayons for art students and Perma Pressed sharpenable fine art crayons are added to the growing product line, which also includes new Artista brand paints. -
1936
Binney & Smith becomes a founding member of the Crayon, Watercolor and Craft Institute, promoting product safety in art materials. -
1936
Binney & Smith becomes a founding member of the Crayon, Watercolor and Craft Institute, promoting product safety in art materials. -
1948
To educate art teachers about the many ways to use the growing number of Crayola products, a teacher workshop program begins to offer in-school training across the country. -
1949
Crayola introduces the “Crayola 48” containing 48 color crayons in a “stadium seating” box. -
1952
A Binney & Smith plant in Winfield, Kansas opens to handle the company’s growing business. -
1958
A Binney & Smith plant in Winfield, Kansas opens to handle the company’s growing business.The 64-color assortment of Crayola crayons – with a built-in sharpener – debuts. -
1961
Binney & Smith becomes a publicly held company. -
1963
Binney & Smith becomes a member of the American Stock Exchange May 1, with the symbol: BYS. -
1964
Binney & Smith acquires Permanent Pigments Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio. The Company manufactures LIQUITEX acrylic colors, oil colors, watercolors, varnishes, mediums and other supplies for the fine artist. -
1967
Corporate headquarters relocate from New York City to Forks Township in Easton, Pennsylvania. -
1969
The company opens an additional plant in Easton, Pennsylvania, followed five years later by a new corporate headquarters. -
1975
Binney & Smith establishes a joint venture in Mexico, with manufacturing facilities located in Pastaje. -
1977
In May, Binney & Smith acquires the rights to Silly Putty, one of the world’s best-loved toy classics. -
1978
Binney & Smith is listed on the New York Stock Exchange June 19, with the symbol: BYS.Crayola crayons celebrate their 75th anniversary, and Crayola markers are introduced. Craft and activity kits become a vital part of the company’s business. -
1979
All children’s product lines are repackaged to carry the Crayola trade name and all fine art materials are repackaged to carry the Liquitex trade name. -
1980
A private distributorship in Australia is purchased to form Binney & Smith (Australia) Pty. Ltd. to market and distribute finished Crayola products. -
1984
inney & Smith becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards Inc., of Kansas City, Missouri, the world leader in personal expression products.Crayola DREAM-MAKERS art education program is introduced in the nation’s elementary schools. 1986 - A toll-free consumer help line, 1-800-CRAYOLA, is established, extending the company’s commitment to providing quality service. -
1987
Crayola introduces Washable markers, an instant hit with kids, teachers and moms. Crayola colored pencils also arrive. -
1988
Binney & Smith acquires the manufacturing rights for Magic Marker brand markers. -
1990
Eight Crayola crayons – maize, raw umber, lemon yellow, blue gray, orange yellow, orange red, green blue and violet blue – are retired into the Crayola Hall of Fame in Easton, Pennsylvania. -
1991
Binney & Smith offers the eight retired Crayola crayon shades, along with a 64-box, in the Crayola Collector’s Colors Tin for a limited time. Crayola Washable crayons are introduced. -
1992
Crayola introduces Model Magic, a modeling compound, into its long line of products. -
1993
Binney & Smith celebrates the Crayola brand’s 90th birthday with the biggest crayon box ever – it holds 96 crayons, including 16 new colors. For the first time, the company asks consumers to name the colors through the Crayola “Name The New Colors Contest.” -
1994
Revell-Monogram, the world’s leading manufacturer of plastic model kits joins the Binney & Smith family. -
1996
A colorful and historic milestone is recorded as the 100 billionth Crayola crayon rolls off the production line in Easton, Pennsylvania.On July 16, Binney & Smith celebrates the Grand Opening of The Crayola EXPERIENCE visitors’ center in Easton, Pennsylvania with the Crayola ColorJam parade. -
2000
Binney & Smith sells its Liquitex brand to ColArt.
Crayola Color Wonder makes its debut and takes home trophies in several national toy testing programs including Family Fun magazine’s Toy of the Year Awards, Duracell Ultra Toy Survey, and TODAY’s Toy Test 2000, sponsored by the Today Show on NBC.
