Why Pencils Are Yellow: A Curious History

By Jenny Holly Hansen | WBN News | April 30, 2025

When I think of a pencil, the first image that comes to mind is almost always the classic bright yellow shaft, sharpened to a fine point. It’s so iconic that we rarely stop to ask—why yellow? As someone who enjoys diving into the stories behind everyday things, I thought it would be fun to explore the surprising history behind this simple but enduring design choice.

The story of the yellow pencil actually begins in the 19th century, during a time when pencils were becoming a global commodity. Before this, most pencils were natural wood colors or darkly painted, but things changed thanks to two major factors: the rise of branding and the prestige of high-quality graphite.

In the late 1800s, the best graphite in the world was coming from China. It was highly prized for being especially smooth and pure—perfect for making superior pencils. To highlight this connection to quality, pencil manufacturers wanted a way to distinguish their products on store shelves. Simply having a good product wasn’t enough; they needed a visual cue that would signal luxury, quality, and sophistication at a glance.

Enter the color yellow.

At the time, yellow was seen as a color associated with royalty, respect, and cultural richness, particularly in China. By painting their pencils yellow, companies sent a subtle message: this pencil contains fine Chinese graphite, and it’s a cut above the rest.

One of the earliest and most influential examples was the Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth pencil, introduced by an Austrian company in 1889. Named after the famous diamond, the "Koh-I-Noor" pencil was lavishly painted in bright yellow and quickly set a trend. Other manufacturers followed suit, and by the early 20th century, the yellow pencil had become the standard—especially in North America.

Today, not all pencils are yellow, of course. Artists, architects, and specialty brands often use other colors to set themselves apart. But the classic yellow pencil remains a universal symbol of creativity, learning, and simple productivity. Even in our digital world, there's something comforting about holding that familiar color in your hand—a little flash of sunshine that connects us to centuries of history, innovation, and craftsmanship.

Next time you reach for a pencil, you’ll know: that cheerful yellow isn’t just a random choice. It’s a legacy.

Let’s Keep Talking:

Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance.

She is also a business development consultant with Impresario Partners, helping Canadian Business expand overseas.

She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jholly-hansen@wbnn.news. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.  Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social

Let’s Meet Up:

Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4

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