Wiktor Wise
The development of the pencil sharpener can be traced back to France in 1822, when a book described the invention of a pencil-sharpening device by Mr. C. A. Boucher of Paris. The earliest form of pencil sharpening involved whittling with a knife, which was time-consuming and tedious. In 1828, a Parisian mathematician named Bernard Lassimone patented the 'Taille Crayon', or 'pencil sharpener'. The Electric Pencil Sharpener was first commercially produced in 1917 in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. and was available to the public in the 1940s. Electric pencil sharpeners work similarly to manual ones, but they use an electric motor to rotate flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of invention | 1917 |
| First commercially produced | 1917 in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. |
| First company to produce | Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co. (APSCO) |
| First model | US Automatic Pencil Sharpener |
| Year of first availability to the public | 1940s |
| Country of invention | United States |
| Inventor | N/A |
| Reason for invention | To improve upon manual pencil sharpeners |
| Power source | Electric motor or batteries |
| Design | Oblong metal container with a crank handle |
| Notable models | Panasonic (1980s), Boston Polar Club (1936), X-Acto 1818, Boston 296A |
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What You'll Learn
Early pencil sharpening methods
Before the invention of dedicated pencil sharpeners, a pencil was sharpened by whittling with a knife. The earliest known device for sharpening pencils was invented by Mr. C. A. Boucher of Paris, France, in 1822. Mr. Boucher's device was technically sensible and functional and was internationally known and recognised, as shown by corresponding reports in German literature at the time. However, Mr. Boucher did not apply for a patent for his invention, and it is unlikely that it was ever commercially produced.
The world's first patent for a pencil sharpener was granted to French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne of Limoges, France, in 1828. Pencil sharpener devices using his patent were produced and sold by Binant, a shop for painting accessories in Paris. In 1833, Cooper & Eckstein of England patented the "Styloxynon", a simple device consisting of two sharp files set together at a right angle in a small block of rosewood. This is the oldest pencil sharpener with surviving examples.
In the 1830s and 1840s, several French individuals based in Paris were engaged in the construction of simple pencil-sharpening tools, such as François Joseph Lahausse. These devices were partially sold but did not gain widespread popularity beyond Paris. In 1847, the French nobleman Thierry des Estivaux invented a simple handheld pencil sharpener in its recognisable modern form.
The first American pencil sharpener was patented by Walter Kittredge Foster of Bangor, Maine, in 1855. Foster founded the world's first pencil sharpener company and produced small handheld pencil sharpeners in large quantities. By the end of the 19th century, various pencil sharpeners with different mechanisms had been developed and marketed, particularly in the United States. These devices were often heavy and intended for office use. Examples include the "Perfect Pencil Pointer" by Goodell Co., the "GEM Pencil Sharpener" by Gould & Cook Co., and the "Planetary Pencil Sharpener" by A. B. Dick Company, all from the US, and the "Jupiter" by Guhl & Harbeck Co. from Germany.
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The first dedicated pencil sharpeners
Before the invention of dedicated pencil sharpeners, pencils were sharpened by whittling with a knife. This method was time-consuming, tedious, and imprecise. In 1822, a French book reported on Mr. C. A. Boucher's invention of a pencil sharpener in Paris. Boucher was working with pantographs and needed a device to precisely sharpen his pencils. The device was technically functional and gained international recognition, as evidenced by corresponding reports in German literature at the time.
In 1828, another Parisian, mathematician Bernard Lassimone, patented his "Taille Crayon" or "pencil sharpener." While this invention was safer than whittling, it was also time-consuming. A decade later, in Britain, Cooper & Eckstein debuted the "Patent Pencil Pointer." Towards the end of the 19th century, various pencil sharpeners with different mechanisms were developed and marketed, particularly in the United States. These devices were often heavy and intended for office use. Examples include the Perfect Pencil Pointer (Goodell. Co.), the GEM Pencil Sharpener (Gould & Cook Co.), and the Planetary Pencil Sharpener (A. B. Dick Company).
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co. (APSCO) was founded and introduced the US Automatic Pencil Sharpener after 1907, dominating the market. They later sold machines with milling mechanisms, such as the Climax, Dexter, Wizard, and Junior models. APSCO became the largest pencil sharpening machine producer in the world and, along with a few other US companies, dominated the market. Electric pencil sharpeners for offices have been around since at least 1917, when they were first commercially produced in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. However, they did not become widely available to the public until the 1940s, remaining a sought-after item for stylish office workers.
The oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener is the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936. Electric pencil sharpeners operate on the same principle as manual ones, but with flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters rotated by an electric motor. Some are battery-powered, making them more portable. Electric pencil sharpeners offer convenience and efficiency, and some models even have auto-stop features that sense when the pencil tip is long enough and stop automatically.
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Electric pencil sharpener pioneers
The development of pencil sharpeners began in France in 1822, when Mr. C. A. Boucher, working with pantographs, invented a device to precisely sharpen pencils. This was technically sensible and functional, gaining international recognition. However, it was time-consuming, and other innovations soon followed. In 1828, the Parisian mathematician Bernard Lassimone patented the 'Taille Crayon' or 'pencil sharpener'. This was safer than whittling but still time-consuming.
In the late 19th century, the mass manufacture of pencil sharpeners became big business, particularly in the United States. Various mechanisms were developed and marketed, such as the Perfect Pencil Pointer by Goodell. Co. and the GEM Pencil Sharpener by Gould & Cook Co. These devices were often heavy and intended for office use. In 1896, an American, A.B. Dick, designed the 'Planetary Pencil Pointer', which allowed the user to place the pencil into a mounted holder while two milling disks revolved around the pencil's axis. This was the first instance of a heavy-duty, desk-mounted sharpener with a winding handle.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co. (APSCO) was founded and soon dominated the market. They released the US Automatic Pencil Sharpener in 1907 and later sold machines with milling mechanisms, such as the Climax and Dexter models. APSCO became the largest pencil sharpening machine producer in the world, but they never managed to compete in the electric pencil sharpener market. Electric pencil sharpeners were commercially produced from 1917 in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. and were available to the public by the 1940s.
Vintage electric pencil sharpeners from the 1980s, such as those made by Panasonic, are sought after for their durability and performance. These older models had more metal than plastic, and their heavier weight, combined with rubber suction cups, prevented them from moving during use.
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Electric pencil sharpener design
The design of electric pencil sharpeners has evolved over the years, with the first electric models appearing in the early 20th century. The basic functionality of electric pencil sharpeners involves using an electric motor to rotate flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters to sharpen the pencil. Some electric pencil sharpeners are powered by batteries, making them more portable.
One of the earliest electric pencil sharpeners was the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936. This vintage sharpener is sought after by collectors and known for its flawless performance. Electric pencil sharpeners from the 1980s, such as the Panasonic models, are also highly regarded for their durability and performance. These older models had more metal than plastic, giving them a sturdy build. They also featured rubber suction cups to prevent movement during use.
The Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company (APSCO) played a significant role in the history of electric pencil sharpeners. Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, APSCO introduced the US Automatic Pencil Sharpener in 1907 and later sold models with milling mechanisms, such as the Climax, Dexter, Wizard, and Junior. APSCO became the largest pencil sharpening machine producer in the world, dominating the market along with a few other US companies.
The design of electric pencil sharpeners typically falls into one of three form factors. The first type has a narrow frontage and a deep body, resembling a Manhattan store. The second type is characterised by a wide frontage and a shallow body. The third type is more compact, with a rounded shape and a retractable cord.
Some advanced features of electric pencil sharpeners include auto-stop functionality, which senses when the pencil tip is long enough and stops automatically. This feature prevents the lead from becoming too long and breaking. Additionally, some sharpeners have two openings, one for standard pencils and another for larger crayons or non-standard-sized writing instruments.
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Electric pencil sharpener producers
Electric pencil sharpeners have been around for quite some time, with the earliest models being commercially produced in 1917 by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. in Minneapolis. However, these early electric pencil sharpeners were not widely available to the public until the 1940s.
The development of pencil sharpeners began in France in 1822, when Mr. C. A. Boucher of Paris invented a device for sharpening pencils. This invention was detailed in a French book from that year. However, it was not until the end of the 19th century that various types of pencil sharpeners were developed and marketed, particularly in the United States. These early devices were often heavy and designed for office use.
One of the earliest companies to produce pencil sharpeners was Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co. (APSCO), which was founded in the early 20th century. APSCO introduced the US Automatic Pencil Sharpener after 1907 and later sold machines with milling mechanisms, such as the Climax, Dexter, Wizard, and Junior models. APSCO went on to become the largest pencil sharpening machine producer in the world, dominating the market along with a few other US companies.
Over time, electric pencil sharpeners evolved and improved in design. Vintage electric pencil sharpeners from the 1980s, such as those made by Panasonic, are often sought-after for their durability and effectiveness. These older models tend to have more metal than plastic in their construction, making them heavier and more stable.
Today, electric pencil sharpeners come in various forms, with some being battery-powered for increased portability. Auto-stop electric pencil sharpeners are also available, which can sense when the pencil tip is long enough and stop automatically. Specialized sharpeners are also available for non-standard sizes of pencils and crayons.
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Frequently asked questions
Before the invention of dedicated pencil sharpeners, pencils were sharpened by whittling with a knife.
Electric pencil sharpeners have been around since at least 1917, when they were commercially produced in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. They were not widely available to the public until the 1940s.
Some of the earliest electric pencil sharpener models include the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener (introduced around 1936) and the Panasonic electric pencil sharpener from the 1980s.
Electric pencil sharpeners work similarly to manual ones, but they use an electric motor to rotate one or more flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters. Some are powered by batteries, while others are plugged into a power outlet.
