Contemporary crayons are originated in Europe, where some of the first cylinder shaped crayons were made with charcoal and oil. Pastels are an art medium sharing roots with the modern crayon and date back to Leonardo da Vinci in 1495.
Conté crayons were invented in 1795 by Nicolas-Jacques Conté, who created the combination of clay and graphite in response to the shortage of graphite caused by the Napoleonic Wars.
The English Parliament introduced in the late 18th century a strict ban on the export of graphite. The artist and inventor of Conte, Nicolas-Jacques, at the request of the National Convention of the French Republic, developed a new pencil to replace the import of pure graphite from England. The invention is patented from January 3, 1795 (patent No. 32).
Born in 1755, he claimed the title of painter, chemist, physicist, hot air balloonist and inventor during the fifty years he lived.
History of conté crayons
