CRAYOLA
THE BIRTH OF CRAYOLA
Crayola was founded in 1903 by cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith of the Binney & Smith Company. Originally known for producing industrial pigments, slate pencils, and school supplies, the company saw an opportunity to create a safe, affordable coloring tool for children. Their first box of crayons contained eight colors and sold for just five cents. The name "Crayola" was coined by Edwin’s wife, Alice Binney, combining the French word craie (chalk) with ola, a reference to the oily wax used in the crayons. The product quickly became popular in schools and homes, helping establish Crayola as a leader in children's creativity and education.
COLORING GENERATIONS
OF CREATIVITY
Throughout the 20th century, Crayola expanded far beyond its original eight-color box, introducing new crayon colors, markers, colored pencils, paints, and creative art products. The company became famous for iconic innovations such as the 64-count crayon box with a built-in sharpener, introduced in 1958, and the retirement and addition of colors that generated excitement among children and collectors alike. Today, Crayola remains one of the world's most recognized art brands, inspiring generations of young artists while maintaining its reputation for creativity, imagination, and educational play.
