Skip to content

Mechanical pencils have so many uses in the workplace. People use pencils every day to calculate payroll, write letters, and complete their work. Students especially use them in schools to do their homework and get good grades.

While much of the world has moved towards digital format, mechanical pencils make writing and design easier than ever before. Mechanical Pencil Day celebrates the history of these pencils and encourages people to celebrate mechanical pencils and their many uses in our daily lives.

History of Mechanical Pencil Day

Pencils were created around the time that graphite deposits were being discovered in Europe during the early 16th century. The first primitive design of the pencil was invented in 1565 by Conrad Gesner, a naturalist, and bibliographer from Switzerland. These pencils were graphite sticks wrapped in string and later were designed with wood so it could be sharpened.

The first mechanical pencil that had tools to move the lead instead of manually sharpening the lead was patented in 1822 by Sampson Mordan and John Isaac Hawkins in Britain. From there, multiple companies began to begin mass producing mechanical pencils.

Mechanical pencils now operate by three types of methods; rachet-based, clutch-based, and screw-based. Today, mechanical pencils have different varieties of lead width and have multiple frames, including plastic, metal, and wood. These pencils are used for writing, but can also be used for art and design.

Due to the slick nature of the mechanical pencil, people now have the ability to create fine details and don’t have to use a pencil sharper. Mechanical Pencil Day celebrates the history of mechanical pencils and how it is today used in workplaces and schools all over the world.

People celebrate the holiday by collecting antique mechanical pencils, reading up on the history of these pencils, and appreciating its uses in daily life.

How to Celebrate Mechanical Pencil Day

Celebrate Mechanical Pencil Day by reading up on the inventors of these fantastic pencils. Read up on the story of different companies such as BIC, Paper-mate, and Pentel.

Take the time today to use mechanical pencils in whatever field of work you do. Give out pencils to your local schools for free and help students get through their schools easier.

Also, give them out to your friends and family, tell your friends and family members about this holiday and educate them about the history of mechanical pencils.

Also on ...

View all holidays

National Bikini Day

Hit the beach or lay out in the sun in your bikini on the anniversary of the invention of this ever-popular two-piece swimsuit in 1946. Don’t forget sunscreen!

View all holidays

Calendar

Join the community!

Password requirements

  • At least one capital letter
  • At least one lowercase letter
  • At least one number
  • 8 or more characters

Welcome back!

Log in to get personalized recommendations, follow events and topics you love, and never miss a day again!