The History of Crayons
The History of Crayons
Have you ever used a crayon? Crayons are colorful sticks that we use to draw and color pictures! They come in many different colors, like red, blue, green, and yellow. But do you know how crayons were made a long, long time ago?
From Wax to Color
Long ago, people used wax and colors from nature to make marks. But these weren't quite like the crayons we know today. The first crayons that looked like our crayons were made in Europe. They were made with a mix of charcoal and oil. But these crayons were messy!
The First Crayola Crayons
In 1903, a company called Binney & Smith made the first box of Crayola crayons. It cost only five cents! The box had eight colors: black, brown, blue, green, orange, red, violet, and yellow. Kids loved them, and they became very popular. The name 'Crayola' comes from 'craie,' which is French for chalk, and 'ola' from 'oleaginous,' which means oily.
Crayons Today
Today, Crayola crayons come in many more colors than just eight. There are special crayons that shimmer and sparkle. Some are even scented! Crayons are still a fun and easy way for kids to be creative and make beautiful art.
- Crayon:
- A stick of colored wax used for drawing.
- Charcoal:
- A black material made from burned wood.
- Creative:
- Able to make new things or ideas.
- wax:
- A smooth material that melts when heated, used to make candles and crayons.
- shimmer:
- To shine with a soft light that seems to move slightly.
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- 1What are crayons used for?
- 2What were the first crayons made of?
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About this informational passage for 2nd Grade
“The History of Crayons” is a informational reading passage about Crayon History, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 1 minute to read (206 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.