Molly Ayala
The electric pencil sharpener is a device that applies the same principles as manual sharpeners, but uses a motor to rotate one or more flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters. The first electric pencil sharpeners were patented in 1910, but they were not available to the public until the 1940s. The first commercially produced electric pencil sharpeners were made in 1917 in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. Electric pencil sharpeners have since evolved to include battery-powered options and auto-stop functions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of patent | 26 May 1964 |
| Inventor | Takeo Hori |
| First patent for a pencil sharpener | 1828 by French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne |
| First American pencil sharpener patent | 1855 by Walter Kittredge Foster of Bangor, Maine |
| First electric pencil sharpeners | 1910 but not commercially available until 1940 |
| Oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener | Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936 |
| Electric pencil sharpener features | Means for indicating the completion of the pencil sharpening operation |
| Lamp indication in two stages according to the extent of sharpening | |
| Auto-stop |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric pencil sharpener patent
The history of the pencil sharpener dates back to the early 19th century when pencils were sharpened with small knives or sandpaper. The development of dedicated pencil sharpeners began in France, with the invention of Mr. C. A. Boucher of Paris, who was working with pantographs and needed a device to precisely sharpen pencils. However, it was French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne who obtained the first patent for a pencil sharpener in 1828. This sharpener featured small metal files set at 90 degrees in a block of wood, grinding the pencil's tip. Despite being internationally known, this invention was not faster or easier than sharpening with a knife, and thus, it did not gain popularity.
In 1833, Cooper & Eckstein in England patented the "Styloxynon", a simple device with two sharp files set at a right angle in a small block of rosewood. This is the oldest pencil sharpener with surviving examples. Around the same time, in the 1830s and 1840s, several French individuals based in Paris were engaged in the construction of simple pencil-sharpening tools, but these devices did not gain significant traction beyond France.
It was not until 1847 that the French nobleman Thierry des Estivaux invented a simple hand-held pencil sharpener in its recognizable modern form. This design, known as a "prism sharpener," featured a single blade in a conical housing, which improved upon the previous designs. 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 hand-held pencil sharpeners in large quantities, which were later sold in Europe as "American pencil sharpeners."
The evolution of pencil sharpeners continued, and by the end of the 19th century, various 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, as well as the "Jupiter" by Guhl & Harbeck Co. from Germany. The oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener, the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, was introduced around 1936, and the first electric sharpeners became commercially available in 1940.
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Improvements to the electric sharpener
The world's first patent for a pencil sharpener was filed in France in 1828 by French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne. The patent was for a simple device consisting of two sharp files set together at a right angle in a small block of rosewood. The first American pencil sharpener was patented in 1855 by Walter Kittredge Foster of Bangor, Maine, who founded the world's first pencil sharpener company. The development of electric pencil sharpeners began around 1936, with the invention of the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener.
Over the years, several improvements have been made to the electric pencil sharpener. Here are some of the key advancements:
- Auto-Stop Technology: Auto-stop electric pencil sharpeners can sense when the tip of the pencil is long enough and automatically stop the sharpening process. This helps prevent oversharpening and reduces pencil waste.
- Improved Blade Technology: Some modern electric pencil sharpeners, like the X-ACTO School Pro, use advanced blade technology to accommodate a wide range of pencil styles and shapes. The X-ACTO School Pro, for instance, has six preset pencil diameters and can handle various types of pencils, including colour, graphite, and charcoal.
- Multiple Sharpening Stages: Certain electric sharpeners, like the KUM Long Point, have multiple stages in their sharpening process. The first stage shapes the wood into an elongated cone, and the second stage sharpens the lead to a fine point. This two-stage process results in a more precise and refined tip.
- Indicator Lights: Some electric pencil sharpeners are equipped with indicator lights to signal the completion of the sharpening process. This feature prevents excessive sharpening and ensures that the pencil is sharpened to the desired level.
- Regulator for Desired Sharpness: Advanced electric pencil sharpeners offer a regulator that allows users to control the desired sharpness of the pencil tip. This feature is especially useful when working with different types of pencils and drawing applications.
- Portability: Many modern electric pencil sharpeners are designed to be more portable. Some sharpeners are battery-operated, eliminating the need to be plugged into an electrical outlet. Others have compact and ergonomic designs, making them easy to carry and store.
- Safety Features: Safety has been a focus of improvement for electric pencil sharpeners. Some models include safety features such as indicator switches that turn off the sharpener when the pencil is removed, reducing the risk of injury.
- Reduced Noise: While some older electric sharpeners were noisy, newer models have addressed this issue. Quieter sharpeners are more suitable for use in libraries, classrooms, and other quiet environments.
- Compatibility with Non-Standard Pencils: Specialized electric sharpeners have been developed to accommodate non-standard sizes and types of pencils, such as crayons, charcoal sticks, and pastels. These sharpeners offer versatility and can be used by artists and students who work with a diverse range of drawing tools.
- Efficient Shaving and Debris Management: Modern electric pencil sharpeners are designed with efficient shaving mechanisms and debris management systems. Some sharpeners have reservoirs or large, clear containers to collect shavings, making it easy to determine when they need to be emptied.
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The first American sharpener
The first American pencil sharpener was patented by Walter Kittredge Foster of Bangor, Maine, in 1855. He founded the world's first pencil sharpener company and produced small handheld pencil sharpeners in large quantities. By the end of the 19th century, the company was selling its products in Europe, where they were known as "American pencil sharpeners".
The development of pencil sharpeners began in France in 1822, when Mr C. A. Boucher of Paris invented a device for precisely sharpening pencils. However, he did not apply for a patent. In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne patented the world's first pencil sharpener. This sharpener had small metal files set at 90 degrees in a block of wood, and it ground the edges of the pencil's tip. This design was not faster or easier than sharpening with a knife, so it did not become popular.
In 1833, Cooper & Eckstein in 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 people, all based in Paris, were engaged in the construction of simple pencil-sharpening tools. In 1847, French nobleman Thierry des Estivaux invented a simple handheld pencil sharpener in its recognisable modern form. He improved upon Lassimonne's design, using a single blade in a conical housing—a design we still use today and call a "prism sharpener".
The first electric pencil sharpeners appeared in 1910 but did not become commercially available until 1940. The oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener is the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936.
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The oldest surviving electric sharpener
The history of the pencil sharpener goes back to the early 19th century. Before the invention of dedicated pencil sharpeners, pencils were sharpened by whittling with a knife. The development of pencil sharpeners is said to have begun in France in the 1820s when a book reported on an invention by Mr C. A. Boucher of Paris for the construction of a pencil sharpener. However, the world's first patent for a pencil sharpener was not applied for until 1828 by French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne. Devices using his patent were produced and sold by Binant, a shop for painting accessories in Paris.
The oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener is the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, which was introduced around 1936. Electric pencil sharpeners work on the same principle as manual ones, but they have one or more flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters that are rotated by an electric motor. Some are powered by batteries, making them more portable, while others are plugged into a building's electrical system.
In the US, the first pencil sharpener was patented by Walter Kittredge Foster of Bangor, Maine in 1855. He founded a company and produced small hand-held pencil sharpeners in large quantities. By the end of the 19th century, various types of pencil sharpeners with different mechanisms had been developed and put on the market, particularly in the US. 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 it soon dominated the market. The company produced 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 and, along with a few other US companies, dominated the market for several decades.
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How electric sharpeners work
The world's first patent for a pencil sharpener was granted to French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne in 1828. The patent was for 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. The first American pencil sharpener was patented by Walter Kittredge Foster of Bangor, Maine in 1855.
Electric pencil sharpeners work on the same principle as manual ones, but they use a motor to rotate one or more flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters. Some electric pencil sharpeners are powered by batteries, while others are plugged into a building's electrical system. The electric motor drives the cutter holder, which is rotatably mounted on the frame. There is also speed reduction gearing between the motor and the holder for driving the latter. An internal gear is secured to the frame, and the cutter includes a pinion gear held in meshing engagement with the internal gear. The cutter is carried on the cutter holder at an angle to the axis of rotation.
Upon energization of the drive motor, the cutter rotates about its own axis while revolving around the axis of the pencil inserted into the cutter holder. Electric pencil sharpeners also have a device to indicate the completion of the pencil sharpening operation, such as a lamp that lights up when the sharpening is complete. Some advanced models have a spring-driven holder that automatically pushes the pencil into the mechanism while being sharpened. These models also offer a regulator for the desired sharpness, as it is not always ideal to make the graphite core needle-sharp.
Auto-stop electric pencil sharpeners can sense when the pencil tip is long enough and stop automatically. Sharpeners with two openings, one for normal pencils and one for larger crayons, are also available.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric pencil sharpener was patented in 1964.
The first electric pencil sharpener was patented by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd.
The first pencil sharpener was patented in 1828 by French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne.
The first American pencil sharpener was patented by Walter Kittredge Foster in 1855.
