Crayons

In 1885, two men had an idea. They wanted to make things to sell. They wanted to sell ink. They wanted to sell polish for shoes.

Their names were Edwin and C. Harold. They were cousins. They paid money for an old building. It gave them a new idea. Why not make slates for kids to use at school? All kids needed to write. They wanted to make things to help kids write. They made a wax marking stick that was black. It was not good for kids. It was too strong. They tried and tried again. In 1903, they had a new idea.

Edwin’s wife had an idea. “Why don’t you mix the wax with charcoal? Can you make other colors? I think children would like to use other colors.”

“I think we can,” said Edwin. He and Harold went to work. Soon they had black, brown, blue, purple, orange, yellow, and green.
“I think we should call them crayons,” said Alice.
“I like it,” said Edwin. “It means chalk that is oily.”
“Let’s put them in a box,” said Harold.
“I think we should sell them for five cents each,” said Alice.
“You are a smart lady,” said Edwin. “That is why I love you!”