Origins of the Mechanical Pencil
The mechanical pencil is a seemingly simple utensil whose invention and development actually took decades. Being an ever-sharp pencil it was at one time thought to be the perfect tool for basic writing and to some people, still is. The convenience of allowing the user to draw consistent lines and never need sharpening is largely taken for granted as this pencil was not always as refined as it is today.


1822: Invention
The actual mechanical pencil was invented and patented in England by Sampson Mordan and Gabriel Riddle in 1822. What they had was more or less a refillable lead holder rather than a sophisticated mechanical pencil. Those who frequently used them would commonly carry around uniform pieces of lead in their pockets. Back then there was a shortage of the soft graphite that was used in regular pencils and the importation of lower quality graphite was needed to meet demands. This adaptation was one of the main sources of inspiration for Mordan and Riddle to invent such a device.

1860: Along Comes Faber
In 1860, a German named A.W. Faber invented a more advanced model to help drafters in architecture. Faber, an already renowned maker and manufacturer of writing utensils designed a holder that was more hollow and allowed for a longer lead to be fitted. A year later, Faber invented and patented the twist locking-clutch mechanism.

1862-1899: Upgrades and Improvements
Many small upgrades were implemented in the later part of the 19th century. The most notable of which were the spring-loaded pencils developed in 1877 and the twist-feed mechanism which was introduced 1895. However, it wasn’t until 1915 that the mechanical pencil was truly sprung on the world.

1915: No Longer a Lead Holder
Up until this point the mechanical pencil had been called a number of things, mostly some variation of lead holder or push pencil. Then in 1915, two men in two different countries came out with designs that would change the mechanical pencil forever. Tokuji Hayakawa, a metal worker in Japan, implemented the use of a metal shaft, a screw-based mechanism, and sharp lead. Introduced as the Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil, the new design actually did not sell well overnight as many were unfamiliar to the metal body of the pencil and we’re hesitant to buy into it. However, after a major company in Tokyo and Osaka put in large orders, the new pencil began to fly off the shelves. Years later, Hayakawa would get his company name form that pencil, Sharp. At the same time in the United States, a man named Charles Keeran from Illinois designed a ratchet-based mechanism in which the lead is held by two or three jaws at the tip of the pencil. The user could then press a button with their thumb at the opposite end and push the lead forward as the momentarily separate. Both of these men are credited with the invention of the true “Mechanical Pencil” and usually have their separate stories combined into one given their significance and bizarrely similar timing.

Today mechanical pencils are widely used throughout all businesses and educational institutions. “Lead Holders” are still used but primarily in architectural design and are clearly distinguished from your everyday mechanical pencil.

Alice Jenkins, is a writer who has always had a passion for penmanship and writing history. She writes for pensXpress, a leading supplier of personalized pens for dedicated writers and pen enthusiasts.

What is a Mechanical Pencil?
A mechanical pencil is a type of pencil in which the graphite lead is not attached to the outer casing as is in standard pencils. The lead consists of a thin stick of graphite, wax and clay. This means that the lead can be extended as it wears away removing the need for sharpening. Some mechanical pencils used recycled industrial carbon in place of graphite.

What are the different sizes in mechanical pencils?
Nearly all mechanical pencils can be refilled by the lead that are available that are made for the pencil. Mostly the lead ranges from 0.5 mm to 2 mm in diameter. Instead of a sharpener a 'pointer' is used to sharpen the lead. These pencils have different lead thicknesses and sizes that are easily available and HB and B hardness leads are the most often used as separate leads tend not to have as many grades available as a standard pencil. This pencil would be a good choice for drawing and sketching. Many mechanical pencils come complete with an eraser. This is also replaceable and easily available.

What is the history of mechanical pencil?
The mechanical pencil was invented in 1822 by Sampson Mordan and Gabriel Riddle, in England. It was more of a refillable lead holder than a mechanical pencil, as users carried uniform pieces of lead in their pockets to use when necessary. Then slowly the pencil companies modified and gave us the best light weight with extraordinary clear lead to use.

What are the advantages of a mechanical pencil?
•             The lead is so thin that it's always sharp.
•             Allowing precise and uniform strokes without the hassle of constant sharpening.
•             They are also environmentally friendly, saving wood and eliminating the wood shavings of traditional pencil.
•             With a Mechanical Pencil you can change the lead type or color when it suits you. There is also no need to sharpen the lead.

What are the disadvantages of a mechanical pencil?
•             A mechanical pencil is more mechanically complicated than a standard pencil, which means it may break easier.
•             Mechanical pencils will be more expensive initially than standard pencils.
•             Mostly mechanical pencils will only hold one particular lead width; you may have to spend money buying various pencils to accommodate all the different types of lead you intend to use.



Mechanical Pencil Feature
Those are features of the mechanical pencil:


      Rubber Grip - Usually mechanical pencil is wrapped with soft black rubber for comfortable gripping between the thumb, index, and middle finger while writing or drawing.
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      Cone Cap - Located at the bottom, provides a pointed opening where lead rods can be ejected for writing. It also protect the lead from breaking.
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      The pocket clamp holder - Located at the top, can clamp around T-shirt pockets allowing for hands-free carrying and easy access.
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      Eraser - inserted at the top, can erase lead particles from paper, wood or other mediums it has been applied.  The eraser can also be removed allowing it to be replaced.
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            Eraser Holder – Hold the eraser and provides an opening where lead rods can be loaded into the hollow barrel of the Mechanical Pencil.
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      Aluminum and hi-impact plastic - internal mechanical hollow part assembly that is designed to ejects lead rods out of the bottom of the Mechanical Pencil.
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      Lead Size - Lead sizes vary from 0.2 right up to several millimeters in width. Make sure the pencil used has the right sized lead.
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      Retractable Tip - The great mechanical pencils can retract their lead sleeve to protect your pockets and the sleeve itself in when you are on the move. It also prevent the lead from breaking.
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      Lead Grade Indicator – the indicator that show what grade and size of lead compatible to that mechanical pencil – 0.5, 0.7, HB, 2B,  etc

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      Lead Advance - Most mechanical pencils have a simple top press button to advance the lead, others advance because of a twist or even a shake.