A class of fifth-graders from Green Acres Elementary in Lebanon, Ore., asked us to find out how pencil lead is made. That quest took us all the way back to the dawn of the universe and then all the ...

In this episode of MADE HERE, we’re taking you through the pencil-making production process—from colored pencils, to sketching pencils, and the everyday classic pencil. The beloved writing tool begins ...

NOW IS A good time to revisit Leonard Read’s essay. In 1958, Read examined how a pencil is made — how it is miraculous that a pencil is made at all. The standard pencil begins when a cedar is cut down ...

“Yes of course,” and the lady at the counter hands me a cigarette. I awkwardly resist and say “I actually do need a pencil.” She judges me a bit and hands me one, probably wondering why an adult might ...

From sticks of graphite wrapped in string to mechanical pencils made of gold, centuries of innovation went into crafting the perfect writing utensil. The pencil isn't just for the SATs. It is the ...

A batch of graphite has just been delivered to this pencil factory in Germany. Once it’s been thoroughly mixed with clay, it’s ready to go into production, with around 550 pounds of the stuff making ...