creion

A creion is a writing and drawing instrument used to leave marks on paper and other surfaces. It typically consists of a slender core of graphite encased in a wooden or plastic barrel. Mechanical pencils use a refillable lead, and colored pencils contain pigments for color drawing.

Core and materials: The core is usually graphite mixed with clay; the ratio determines hardness and darkness. The outer casing is commonly cedar wood, but plastic, metal, or composite materials are also used. Variants include charcoal pencils, colored pencils, and carpenter's pencils with a flat lead for marking on wood.

Hardness and grading: Pencils are graded with H (hard), B (soft/dark), and HB (in-between). F denotes a fine point. The scale often runs from 9H (very hard) to 9B (very soft). The hardness affects line quality, shading, and erasing ease; artists and draftsmen choose grade accordingly.

History: The modern pencil traces back to the 16th century after a large graphite deposit was found in Borrowdale, England. Graphite was cut into sticks and inserted into wooden cases. Developments in the 18th–19th centuries introduced clay to regulate hardness and improvements in production led to the mass-market pencil we know today.

Usage and safety: Pencils are used for writing, drawing, drafting, and teaching. They require sharpening and may be erased with erasers. Graphite is non-toxic in typical usage, but small parts can be a choking hazard; keep pencils away from small children.