If you think about it, the venerable crayon has a long history that started before you or I first picked one up and began coloring on everything in sight; walls, clothing, the floor; usually anything but our coloring books in our early years. We finally became more articulate with them and took notice of our coloring books, working hard to stay within the lines.
The earliest history of Crayola started in 1885 when the company was originally called the Binney and Smith Company. It wasn’t until 1902 when Edwin Binney’s wife coined the term “Crayola” combining the two French words for oily and chalk and the rest, as they say, is history.
I don’t think there is a child born in the last 100 years that hasn’t played with crayons. Either creating their latest masterpiece or just doodling the afternoon away; a crayon could hold a child’s imagination for hours on end. Me, I like the smell of them; even as an adult, I am still exposed to crayons. I had to use them recently in my school work.
Like that new car scent, the smell of crayons has always put a smile on my face. Whether it’s my favorite, a brand new box, or some well used nibs that I find when vacuuming, crayons have that certain unmistakable smell about them. I am sure we have all had our favorite colors, Aquamarine, Burnt Sienna or maybe even Red Orange which has since been discontinued.
Crayola has made 133 different colors of crayons in the company’s history and they all have one thing in common; that familiar Crayola crayon smell. It has always put a smile on my face as I am sure it has for thousands of other children and adults all over the world.
The company also produces Silly Putty. Talk about a group of folks that know how to make some good smelling stuff!
Just the thought of it has me on my way out to the store to pick up a couple of new boxes for my, ahem, friend’s children, of course. There is nothing like cracking open a new box of crayons, seeing the vibrant colors and inhaling that wonderful Crayola crayon smell. I’m smiling just thinking about it! (I know over at Desiree Marketing they go through some crayons so if you wanna send some over to her…)
If they made Ferrari Red that would surely be my favorite color. You know Ferrari red right? The color of the Ferrari Formula 1 auto racing cars?
For now, I think I will pick… Cerulean or Laser Lemon (Although Macaroni and Cheese is nice, even thought it does not look much like Macaroni and Cheese. See for yourself.)
What is your favorite Crayola crayon color? Let me know in the comments.
