The pencil “lead” is actually a mixture of graphite and clay. More clay in the mixture makes the lead harder. A harder lead has a higher number. Pencils are numbered from 1-3 but most people use a ...

The eraser was then added in 1858 by Hymen Lipman who patented the idea. Creating different hardness' to pencils was discovered by Nicholas Jacques Conté. Mixing powdered graphite with clay and ...

The history of erasers dates back to the 1770s, when bread was the primary tool used to erase pencil markings. People would roll up and moisten bread to remove graphite marks effectively.

Over the long term, tariffs on imported pencils could accelerate innovation within the industry. U.S. manufacturers may invest in automation.