What is it about crayons?
If there is one thing I remember as a child, it's crayons.
There was that bright yellow box trimmed in dark green with the same green lettering. Inside were the colors of the world!
Ah, the sharp, unused point of each crayon cried out to be carefully taken out of the box, eased into a set of fingers, and postioned on the coloring page to bring life into a plain, back and white drawing.
I could press very hard to get the darkest shade possible, or I could outline the picture and shade inside the lines. In my hay day of coloring (1949-1957), we could have up to 48 colors--unheard of since 1903 when Binney and Smith first came out with the first 8 colors.
In 1958, we could boast 64 colors, 72 colors in 1972, 80 in 1990, 96 in 1993, and 120 colors in 1998! (Crayola.com/"Color Corner, Crayola Crayon Technology." 2000-2012.) Where are you located?
My mom bought me crayons as a child and again after I started teaching. She would say, "Everyone needs new crayons every year." I continue to buy crayons for my grandchildren, now called Crayola Twistables.
I still color from time to time alone or with my grandkids, but there was something about the crayons back in the 50's that is not there now. The colors were deeper and fuller, not as waxy and dull as today. I did get lost when I colored as a child--lost in the picture of the day. Maybe it is I who has changed, not so much the crayons.
Ah-h, a girl with my own memories, Tam. I think we must be the same age. How I loved the smell and the look of that box in my pile of school supplies. Thank you too for all the facts. And-didn't you just hate it when one broke?
ReplyDeleteNo, you are right. The colors are not the same vibrant, deep hues as they used to be. And if they aren't Crayola, they are horrid color teasers!
ReplyDeleteI envied those with a box of 64 back in '58. To have all those colors meant you could bring any picture to life. It's funny you should meantion "bring life into a plain, back and white drawing", for that is what I pretended. Nothing was real and could only come to life when I finished coloring it. Nice memories!
Oh my goodness...you took me back. Yes, I know that feeling (and that smell!) of the new box of crayons. I always loved it, no matter which size box. Thank you so much for the little trip back in my mind. Maybe I'd better go buy some new crayons!
ReplyDeleteI loved those crayons, too. My friends and I used to have coloring contests of our own- tracing circles on paper and creating designs and then voting in secret (so you could vote for yourself if you wanted to!)to pick the winner. At a craft show, my mom got me a wood dachsund with ABC's painted on it that has spaces on the top to put in 24 crayons in in. I have a 100th Birthday box of crayons saved. And by the way, my prime colring days started in the 50s, too.
ReplyDeleteI love a new color crayon box and get lost in coloring with my grandson. We need more of it - it's a stress reducer!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Sesame Street moment is when they would show the crayon factory... or was Mr. Rogers who visited the crayon factory? There is nothing more pleasing than fresh crayons! I agree with you about a texture/consistency difference nowadays though--there is definitely something to that!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reminiscing with you. Crayons have definitely changed with the times, but their purpose has remained the same. Your mother was right, "Everyone needs new crayons every year." For me, there is nothing like opening up a new, fresh box of crayons with their waxy smell and perfect points.
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Tam I love this reflection of crayons. They are a part of our childhood. Have you seen the ones with swirls and glitter. You make me want to get a new box!
ReplyDeleteI remember crayons as having more ooomph to them as well! "Ah, the sharp unused point . . ." really grasps the way I used to feel as a kid opening a brand new box of crayons. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteCrayons...what a pleasant memory. I also loved a new box of crayons each year. And the names...some are so exotic. Remembering how I wanted to keep the point sharp and some boxes included a sharpener. What beautiful images you created with your words.
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