1. When was it created and by whom?

I found a couple different answers to this question. Based on NPR’s

findings, they say a Swiss naturalist named Conrad Gessner created
the first design of a pencil in 1565. His drawing showed graphite
inside wood. Although his drawing became popular
throughout Europe, it wasn't until the 1600s
that pencils were beginning to be created.
In 1662, Germans were the first to invent the
first pencil. In 1822 a silversmith from
Britain named Sampson Mordan created and patented the first
mechanical pencil. The modern pencil we know today was invented
in 1795 by Nicholas-Jacques Conte. He was a scientist that served in
Napoleon Bonaparte’ s army. He used pure carbon which we know
as graphite.

2. What is the intended

function of the technology?

The intended function of the pencil was to make writing easier and less of a mess. It
started as graphite wrapped in string, then went to graphite in a hollow wood piece and
eventually went to gold mechanical pencils. It took many years to perfect the perfect
writing utensil we call a pencil.

3. How exactly does it work?

A pencil is used by many to take notes, draw, write down measurements, etc. It is graphite
enclosed in a yellow wood case and has a pink eraser for mistakes on the top. To use it, you
lightly glide the graphite tip over paper and create letters, numbers, words, etc.

4. What problems existed such that its creation was needed?

The problem with the writing utensil used before pencils was that the graphite would
break and the strings would come undone. It was also very difficult to use/control and
messy on your hands.

5. What was used prior to its creation?

Graphite sticks wrapped in string were the first type of writing utensil used. The string
would fall off and these “pencils” created a mess all over your hands. Then they began to
insert the graphite into a hollowed-out wooden stick. This created the first pencil in a
wood case. This was done in 1662 in Nuremberg, Germany. They were the first to mass-
produce pencils.

6. How much does it currently cost to purchase? (There might be a wide range; give
examples.)

There are many different types of pencils for sale on Amazon and in local stores.

7. Who benefits
directly from
its use and
how? Think
direct users.
(Explain; give
examples.)

Everyone benefits from the pencil. It is used in many different types of jobs such as
carpenters, architects, artists, and engineers just to name a few. It is also used in
most school systems from preschool through high school and college. It is used by
both teachers and students. It is also used by those not only in the workforce but
also those who have retired when they vote, balance their checkbook, make grocery
shopping lists, etc.

8. Who indirectly benefits from its use and how? Think about other people who benefit
because someone uses this technology - Corporations? Factories? Other species? Global
Trade? Etc.? . (Explain; give examples.)
Consumers benefit from the use of the pencil. From roads and bridges being fixed or
created by engineers to carpenters building tables, cabinets and much more. Also, high
school students wanting to go to college benefit by using pencils to take the ACT and SAT.
All city and government officials elected to a post have indirectly benefited from the pencil
as the voters used them to elect these candidates.

9. How do you foresee this technology being used in the future? Research future forms of
this technology and/or whether it may cease to exist. (Don’t forget about the robots.

Pencils will be used forever as they are the first step in any project, drawing, list, etc. that
you may need to erase. The lead has changed throughout the years to make it safer and
erasers have gotten better so they don’t smudge your paper and seem to erase the pencil
marks better. They come in all shapes and sizes so even a preschooler that needs a bigger,
chunkier pencil can find one that helps them hold it better. Some people will use their
phone, computer or SIRI to make lists but I believe most people like to create their own
lists, something they can hold in their hands.

https://pencils.com/pages/the-history-of-the-pencil