Umair Gaines
The invention of the pencil sharpener dates back to the early 19th century, with the first patent being issued in 1828 to French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne. However, the earliest form of pencil sharpening involved whittling with a knife, which was time-consuming and imprecise. Over time, various inventors sought to improve the design of pencil sharpeners, with notable contributions from individuals like A.B. Dick and J.L. Love. The first electric pencil sharpeners appeared in the early 20th century, with commercial production beginning in 1917 and widespread availability to the public in the 1940s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the first electric pencil sharpener | Unclear, but the oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener is the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener |
| Year of invention | The first electrical sharpeners appeared in 1910 but were not commercially available until 1940 |
| Inventor | Unclear, but the Automatic Pencil Sharpener Company (APSCO) was manufacturing electric pencil sharpeners in the 1940s |
| Other companies that manufactured electric pencil sharpeners | Farnham Printing & Stationery Co. (from 1917 in Minneapolis) and Panasonic |
| Other names | Sold under names such as Chicago, Giant, Wizard, Gem, and Junior |
| Price | $1.00 |
| Portability | Electric pencil sharpeners are less portable than manual ones |
| Durability | Electric pencil sharpeners are less durable than manual ones |
| Affordability | Electric pencil sharpeners are more expensive than manual ones |
| Efficiency | Electric pencil sharpeners are more efficient than manual ones |
| Optimal use | Electric pencil sharpeners are optimal for businesses and active classrooms that require a faster method of sharpening pencils |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric pencil sharpeners
The invention of the pencil sharpener was born out of necessity. Before the development of dedicated pencil sharpeners, a pencil was sharpened by whittling with a knife. This method was time-consuming, tedious, and inexact.
The first device created specifically for sharpening pencils was invented by Mr. C. A. Boucher in Paris, France, in 1822. Boucher was working with pantographs and needed a device to precisely sharpen pencils. However, he did not apply for a patent, and commercial use of his invention is unlikely.
In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne (or Lassimone) patented the first pencil sharpener. This device had small metal files set at 90 degrees in a block of wood, and it ground the edges of the pencil's tip. This invention, while safer than whittling, was not any faster or easier than sharpening with a knife, so it did not become popular.
In 1833, an English company, Cooper & Eckstein, 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 1847, the French nobleman Thierry des Estivaux invented a simple handheld pencil sharpener in its recognizable modern form. This design used a single blade in a conical housing, which is still used today and is called a "prism sharpener".
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Electric pencil sharpener design
The design of electric pencil sharpeners has evolved over the years, with the first electric sharpeners appearing in 1910 but not becoming commercially available until the 1940s. The basic functionality of electric pencil sharpeners remains similar to that of manual sharpeners, but they offer several advantages in terms of convenience and efficiency.
Electric pencil sharpeners can be powered by batteries or by plugging them into an electrical outlet. They use flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters rotated by an electric motor to sharpen the pencil. Some advanced models have a spring-driven holder that automatically pushes the pencil into the mechanism, and some even have a regulator to adjust the desired sharpness. This feature prevents the lead from becoming too long and breaking, which is a common issue with basic automatic pencil sharpeners.
The design of electric pencil sharpeners varies, with three common form factors. The first type has a narrow frontage and a deep body, resembling the shape of a Manhattan store. The second type is shallow in depth but wide. The third type of electric sharpener takes the pencil from the top.
The production process of electric pencil sharpeners involves forming plastic parts through injection moulding and creating metal parts, such as blades and screws, through metal stamping. Assembly involves securing components like blades, gears, and housing using specialized tools or machines. Quality control checks are conducted to ensure sharpness, proper assembly, and functionality. Despite advancements, some users prefer vintage electric pencil sharpeners for their reliability and craftsmanship.
Overall, the design of electric pencil sharpeners has improved over time, offering users a more efficient and convenient option for sharpening pencils compared to their manual counterparts.
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Electric vs manual pencil sharpeners
The development of pencil sharpeners began in France in 1822 when Mr C.A. Boucher invented a device to precisely sharpen pencils for use with pantographs. However, he did not patent his invention, and commercial use of his invention is unlikely. The first patent for a pencil sharpener was granted to French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne in 1828.
Today, there are a variety of pencil sharpeners available, including manual and electric ones. Electric pencil sharpeners work on the same principle as manual ones, but they have flat-bladed or cylindrical cutters that are rotated by an electric motor. Some are powered by batteries, while others are plugged into a building's electrical system. Electric pencil sharpeners are faster at sharpening pencils and give a sharper edge to the pencil point, allowing for more accurate use. They also prevent the wear and tear on your fingers caused by using a manual sharpener over a long period.
Manual sharpeners, on the other hand, offer more control and are easier to carry. They are also more cost-effective than electric sharpeners. However, they may not be suitable for softer pencils, as the lead may keep breaking.
When choosing between an electric and a manual pencil sharpener, it is important to consider the diameter of the pencils you want to use, the brittleness of their leads, and the type of blade you prefer. Electric sharpeners, for example, come with various size settings, while manual sharpeners come in a standard size.
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The invention of the pencil sharpener
Before the invention of the pencil sharpener, pencils were sharpened by whittling with a knife, a time-consuming and imprecise method. 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 of Paris for the construction of a pencil sharpener. Mr. Boucher's device was technically functional, and his idea was internationally recognised. However, he did not apply for a patent, and commercial use of his invention is unlikely.
In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne from Limoges patented the world's first pencil sharpener, known as the 'Taille Crayon' or 'Styloxynon'. This sharpener had small metal files set at 90 degrees in a block of wood, grinding the pencil's tip. While this invention was safer than using a knife, it was not faster or easier and thus did not gain popularity. In 1833, the British duo Cooper & Eckstein patented a similar device, the 'Patent Pencil Pointer'.
In 1847, French nobleman Thierry des Estivaux invented a simple hand-held pencil sharpener in its recognisable modern form. Des Estivaux improved upon Lassimonne's design, creating a sharpener with a single blade in a conical housing, known as a "prism sharpener". This design is still used today.
The first portable, hand-held pencil sharpener was invented in 1904 by J.L. Love, a carpenter. Love's design was simple, efficient, and practical, contributing to the widespread adoption of pencil sharpeners in schools, offices, and homes.
The first electrical pencil sharpeners appeared in 1910 but were not commercially available until the 1940s. The oldest surviving electric pencil sharpener is the Boston Polar Club pencil sharpener, introduced around 1936. Electric pencil sharpeners can be powered by batteries or by being plugged into a building's electrical system. They work on the same principle as manual sharpeners, but with cutters rotated by an electric motor. Electric sharpeners are more expensive than manual ones but are more efficient and require less physical labour.
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The first non-electric sharpeners
Before the invention of dedicated pencil sharpeners, a pencil was sharpened by whittling with a knife. The development of pencil sharpeners began in France when a French book from 1822 reported in detail about an invention by Mr. C. A. Boucher (Paris) for the construction of a pencil sharpener. However, Mr. Boucher did not apply for a patent, and commercial use of his invention is deemed unlikely.
In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne (or Lassimone) from Limoges patented the 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 invention, although safer than whittling, was equally as time-consuming and not any faster or easier than sharpening with a knife, so it didn't become popular.
In 1833, Cooper & Eckstein in England patented a device called the Styloxynon, which was 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, some French people based in Paris, such as François Joseph Lahausse, were engaged in constructing simple pencil-sharpening tools, which were partially sold but without much success beyond France.
In 1847, the French nobleman Thierry des Estivaux invented a simple handheld pencil sharpener in its recognisable modern form. He improved upon Lassimonne's design by creating a sharpener with a single blade in a conical housing, which is known today as a prism sharpener. This design allowed for the sharpening of all sides of the pencil at once, making the process much quicker. From that point onwards, sharpeners using a conical-shaped device began to spread throughout Europe and were even used in offices worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The first electric pencil sharpeners were produced commercially in 1917 in Minneapolis by Farnham Printing & Stationery Co.
Electric pencil sharpeners became widely available to the public in the 1940s.
Before the invention of the electric pencil sharpener, pencils were sharpened with small knives or sandpaper.
In 1828, French mathematician Bernard Lassimonne patented the first pencil sharpener.
