by Bobbi Hunter

Created on: April 30, 2008

The first box of Crayola Crayons were sold during 1903 in an eight crayon set. The colors were brown, red, blue, orange, yellow, green and black.

Crayola was named by Alice Stead Binney. She was the wife of Edwin Binney. She used the french words for chalk (craie) and oily (oleaginous).

Europe was the birthplace of the "modern day" Crayola Crayon. Crayola crayons were the very first kid crayons made. They were invented Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, who were cousins.

The crayons then consisted on charcoal and oil. They were shaped in a man-made cylinder that looked like sticks. Powdered pigments later replaced the charcoal. It was then learned that replacing the oil with was made them stronger and easier to use.

The Crayola Crayon that is used today comes in a variety of colors, glitter, glow in the dark, smell like flowers, change colors, and wash off walls.

Joseph W. Binney founded the Peekskill Chemical Company in 1864, located in Peekskill, New York. The products the company made were charcoal and a paint containing red iron oxide, which was used to paint the beautiful rural barns.

Now you can even go to http://www.crayola.com and print coloring pages to color with your glow in the dark crayons. Your child can learn about great craft projects that they can do alone or with you.

There are also an assortment of very cool and fun games that they can explore. There is even a parent and child online workshop.

There is a section for not only the child, but also a section for the parent and for educators. I have found valuable information here. Both I and my children love the fun and exciting crafts they offer.

You can make your own page. They off Crayola Beginnings, Create Outdoors, CreaTiVe Online Video Player, Color Explosions, and over 1,000 craft ideas.

Don't forget to tell you child about the wonderful Happy Mother's Day crafts they have for them to make. They also offer a Bike Maze and 3D Football Game.

Just to think, this all started way back in 1903 with oil and charcoal. I wonder if they could even ponder how their product would grow and become a "staple" in most every home.

Learn more about this author, Bobbi Hunter.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.