Trystan Casey
Electric pencil sharpeners are devices that use electricity or batteries to rotate a flat-bladed or cylindrical cutter, shaving away the wood and lead of a pencil to create a sharp point. They have been in use since at least 1917, with the oldest surviving model being the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936. Electric pencil sharpeners can be considered compound machines, consisting of two simple machines: the wheel and axle, and a wedge. But are they computers? If we define a computer as a device that accepts input and produces an output, then an electric pencil sharpener could be considered a type of computer. However, computers process and store information in the form of electrical pulses or bits, which is not how an electric pencil sharpener functions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A computer is a device that processes and stores information in the form of electrical pulses or bits. |
| Input and Output | A pencil sharpener accepts a pencil as input and produces a sharpened pencil as output. |
| Mechanism | An electric pencil sharpener uses a motor to rotate flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters, shaving away the pencil's wood and lead. |
| Power Source | Electric pencil sharpeners can be battery-powered or plugged into an electrical system. |
| History | Pencil sharpeners were developed in the 19th century, with the oldest surviving electric sharpener introduced around 1936. |
| Alternative Uses | Electric pencil sharpeners can also sharpen non-standard sizes of pencil-shaped markers, such as crayons. |
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What You'll Learn
- Electric pencil sharpeners have existed since at least 1936
- Electric sharpeners can be powered by batteries or mains electricity
- They work on the same principle as manual sharpeners but use an electric motor
- Some electric sharpeners can sense when a pencil is sharp enough and stop automatically
- Electric sharpeners can be heavy-duty, using a helical crank mechanism
Electric pencil sharpeners have existed since at least 1936
The history of the pencil sharpener is a long and diverse one, from its origins as a whittling tool to the modern electric sharpener. Electric pencil sharpeners have existed since at least 1917, when the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Co. (APSCO) brought out the US Automatic Pencil Sharpener. However, some sources claim that electric pencil sharpeners were not widely available to the public until the 1940s. The oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener is the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936.
The development of pencil sharpeners began in France when a French book from 1822 reported in detail about an invention of Mr. C. A. Boucher (Paris) for the construction of a pencil sharpener. At the end of the 19th century, various types of pencil sharpeners with different mechanisms were developed and marketed, particularly in the United States. These early devices were often heavy and intended for office use.
In the early 20th century, APSCO was founded and released the US Automatic Pencil Sharpener, which dominated the market for several years. They later expanded their product line to include machines with milling mechanisms, such as the Climax, Dexter, Wizard, and Junior models. APSCO eventually became the largest pencil sharpening machine producer in the world, alongside a few other US companies.
Electric pencil sharpeners work on the same principle as manual ones but use a flat-bladed or cylindrical cutter rotated by an electric motor. Some electric pencil sharpeners are powered by batteries, making them more portable. Auto-stop electric pencil sharpeners can sense when the pencil tip is long enough and stop automatically. Basic automatic pencil sharpeners may require supervision to prevent the lead from becoming too long and breaking.
Today, there are a variety of electric pencil sharpeners available on the market, such as the X-ACTO School Pro Electric, the Toolsand Electric, the KUM Long Point, and the OfficeGoods Electric and Battery Operated. These modern electric pencil sharpeners offer convenience, portability, and compatibility with different pencil types and sizes.
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Electric sharpeners can be powered by batteries or mains electricity
Electric pencil sharpeners can be powered by batteries or by plugging them into a power outlet. Battery-powered electric sharpeners are more portable, but they may not be as powerful as their mains-powered counterparts. Some electric sharpeners can also be used manually, which can be useful if the batteries run out or if you want to save energy.
The X-ACTO School Pro Electric, for example, is a popular electric sharpener that can accommodate a variety of pencil styles and shapes. It can be powered by batteries or plugged into a power outlet. Another example is the Jakar Electric Sharpener, which has a UK wall plug and uses an electric motor to drive the sharpening mechanism.
The OfficeGoods Electric and Battery Operated sharpener is another option that can handle colour and charcoal pencils, as well as providing three different sharpening levels. This model is compact and versatile, making it a good choice for those who use a wide variety of pencils.
Some other popular electric sharpeners include the Toolsand Electric, which is a budget-friendly option, and the KUM Long Point, which uses two separate sharpening stages to first shape the wood and then sharpen the lead. The Toolsand Electric can also be operated manually, making it a versatile option.
While electric pencil sharpeners can be convenient and efficient, it's important to consider the power source and any limitations it may have. Battery-powered options offer portability, but may not be as powerful, while mains-powered sharpeners have unlimited use but may be less convenient for outdoor or remote locations. Ultimately, the best option depends on individual needs and preferences.
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They work on the same principle as manual sharpeners but use an electric motor
Electric pencil sharpeners are indeed a convenient tool for artists, writers, and students. They work on the same principle as manual sharpeners, but instead of manually rotating the pencil or the sharpener, they use an electric motor to rotate one or more flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters. This motor can be powered by batteries or by plugging into a power outlet, depending on the model.
The basic mechanics of a pencil sharpener have not changed much in nearly 100 years. The first dedicated pencil sharpeners were invented in France in the early 19th century, and the oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener, the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, was introduced around 1936. Electric pencil sharpeners for offices have been around since at least 1917.
While the underlying principle remains the same, electric pencil sharpeners offer some additional features. For example, some electric pencil sharpeners have a regulator for the desired sharpness, as it is not always necessary to have a needle-sharp point. Auto-stop electric pencil sharpeners can sense when the pencil tip is long enough and stop automatically, while basic automatic pencil sharpeners may require supervision to prevent the lead from becoming too long and breaking.
Electric pencil sharpeners also vary in their compatibility with different types and sizes of pencils. Some sharpeners have a large opening with a rotatable guide disk to accommodate various pencil diameters, while others are designed for specific pencil sizes. Certain sharpeners are also designed to work with non-standard sizes of pencil-shaped markers, such as wax crayons used in primary schools.
In summary, electric pencil sharpeners offer a faster and more convenient alternative to manual sharpeners by automating the rotation of the cutters. They have become a common tool in offices and schools, providing efficient sharpening for a wide range of pencil types and sizes.
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Some electric sharpeners can sense when a pencil is sharp enough and stop automatically
Electric pencil sharpeners have been around since at least 1917, and the first electric sharpener is thought to be the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936. These devices work on the same principle as manual sharpeners, but they use a motor to rotate one or more flat or cylindrical cutters. Some electric pencil sharpeners are powered by batteries, while others are plugged into an electrical system.
Some electric pencil sharpeners can sense when a pencil is sharp enough and stop automatically. This feature is known as auto-stop, and it is designed to prevent the lead from becoming too long and breaking. The X-ACTO School Pro Electric, for example, has a feature that disengages the blade once the pencil reaches a fine point. The Jakar Electric Sharpener is another example of a sharpener with this feature.
While electric pencil sharpeners are more advanced than their manual counterparts, it is debatable whether they can be considered computers. Some people argue that if a computer is defined as something that accepts input and produces an output, then a pencil sharpener could be considered a computer. However, computers process and store information in the form of electrical pulses, or bits, which is not how pencil sharpeners operate.
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Electric sharpeners can be heavy-duty, using a helical crank mechanism
Electric pencil sharpeners have been around since at least 1917, with the oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener being the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936. These devices are usually powered by batteries or by being plugged into a building's electrical system. They work on the same principle as manual sharpeners, but one or more flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters are rotated by an electric motor.
The crank handle on a helical sharpener has a small nut that can be turned clockwise or anti-clockwise, allowing the sharpener to be used with both graphite and softer pencils, such as coloured pencils or pastel pencils. The chamber is large and transparent, and the sharpening mechanism can be watched as it revolves around the pencil. Helical sharpeners are also known as planetary sharpeners due to their use of planetary gears. They typically have a large opening with a rotatable guide disk that has multiple holes of different sizes to accommodate pencils of varying diameters.
Some electric sharpeners can also be hand-cranked, such as the X-ACTO Ranger Wall Mount, which does not require desk space or electricity. Hand-cranked planetary sharpeners have been around since at least the 1950s and often feature a spring-driven holder that automatically pushes the pencil into the mechanism while sharpening.
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Frequently asked questions
Computers process and store information in the form of electrical pulses, or, bits.
Electric pencil sharpeners work on the same principle as manual ones, with the addition of an electric motor. While it can be argued that an electric pencil sharpener accepts input and produces an output, it does not process or store information like a computer.
Some popular electric pencil sharpeners include the X-ACTO School Pro Electric, Toolsand Electric, and OfficeGoods Electric and Battery Operated.
