They were probably your first art supplies and likely one of your favorite toys. Crayola crayons are a childhood staple for many, but did you know this product has its home in the state of Pennsylvania?
In 1885, Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith formed a company in New York City that produced red oxide pigment used in barn paint and carbon black used for car tires. They named this company Binney & Smith and soon opened a mill on the Bushkill Creek in Easton, Pennsylvania.
Eventually, Binney & Smith developed the first version of the iconic crayon that now comes to mind. The first five-cent box of crayons contained eight colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black—and was named Crayola, a title developed by Binney’s wife Alice that comes from “craie,” the French word for chalk, and “ola” from “oleaginous.”
Since that product hit the market in 1903, the company’s offerings and size have grown tremendously. Even the original crayon assortment has had a makeover over the years, growing in size to forty-eight, to sixty-four, and to 152 in the Ultimate Crayon Collection. Still, it’s interesting to note that the basic pack sold in stores today offers those same eight shades included over 100 years ago. And the company still manufactures its many products in Easton’s Forks Township.
Other favorite Binney & Smith products have included Liquitex paints; Silly Putty; and Crayola markers (including the washable, non-toxic variety cherished by many a parent), colored pencils, Model Magic, Color Wonder, and many others. Over time, it became clear that the Crayola lines led the company, spurring them to switch names officially from Binney & Smith to Crayola LLC in 2007.
The company has always found a place for education, starting with its first in-school training program to educate art teachers about the many Crayola products in 1948. Since 1984, Crayola has offered the Crayola Dream-Makers education program for schools, a curriculum program that now includes activities to help kids learn about subjects ranging from art to math.
For those nearby the company’s headquarters in Easton, even more learning is available in the form of the pure fun at Crayola Experience. The facility that opened its doors in 1996 as The Crayola Factory was completely renovated and re-imagined in 2013. Now, Crayola's colorful family attraction offers four floors of adventure, with a second location opening in Orlando this July.
With twenty-five hands-on activities to enjoy, children can do everything from creating a personalized crayon to animating their own drawings on a huge digital projection screen. They can even take a photo with the world’s largest crayon, created from 123,000 blue crayons donated by kids across the country and weighing in at 1,500 pounds. So next time you’re looking for a place to spark your children’s creativity (and maybe even yours), remember this Pennsylvania destination, just a short car ride away.
Interested in visiting?
Info to know: Crayola Experience / 30 Center Square, Easton www.crayolaexperience.com 1-866-875-5263 Hours of operation: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. summer, holidays, and weekends 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. fall, winter, and spring (closed Mondays) Tickets: Adult (ages sixteen to sixty-four): $18.99 Senior (ages sixty-five and over): $16.99 Child (ages two to fifteen): $18.99 Children ages two and under: free *Insider Tip: Save $2 on all tickets by pre-purchasing tickets online.
