The Crayon Man: The True Story of the Invention of Crayons

Synopsis

Crayons are so ubiquitous today they're almost taken for granted, but they weren't always around. Edwin Binney was an inventor who had found success producing chalk and all-black crayons, but he became aware that kids would really benefit from an affordable, safe, and durable coloring medium. Lots of experimentation with current and new methods led him to invent Crayola crayons. Teachers and students alike will appreciate the full-color photographs demonstrating how Crayolas are made today, in a more industrial setting.

Classroom Connection

Use a toaster oven to help students repurpose broken crayons into new ones. Experiment with a variety of molds and evaluate which designs work best.

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