(1864 to 1984)

 

From its earliest days, Binney & Smith has been a color company.  During the last 100-plus years, Binney & Smith has grown beyond our founders’ wildest dreams.  By applying technical innovation, unparalleled quality, consumer satisfaction and product value, Binney & Smith has become the preeminent producer of hands-on products for creative personal development and fun. 

 

1864 - Joseph Binney founds Peekskill Chemical Works in upstate New York for producing charcoal and lamp black.

 

1880 - Joseph Binney sets up headquarters in New York City, joined by son Edwin Binney and nephew C. Harold Smith.

 

1885 - Joseph Binney retires; Edwin and C. Harold Smith, form a partnership and call their company Binney & Smith.  Early products include red oxide pigment used in barn paint and carbon black used for car tires.  During this time, Binney & Smith took an active role in the development and production of carbon black from natural gas, after natural gas deposits were found throughout Pennsylvania. 

 

1900 - The Company begins producing slate school pencils in its newly opened Easton, Pennsylvania mill, located on the Bushkill Creek.  

Binney & Smith inexpensive black colorants were entered into the chemistry industries competition at the 1900 Paris Exposition under the title “carbon gas blacks, lamp or oil blacks, “Peerless Black” and earned the company a gold medal award in chemical and pharmaceutical arts.

 

1902 - Binney & Smith developed the Staonal Marking crayon.Listening to needs of teachers, Binney & Smith introduced the first dustless school chalk.Binney & Smith incorporates September 30, in Easton, Pennsylvania and serves as general distributor for several carbon black producers, introducing carbon black to other countries.

 

1903 - Noticing a need for safe, quality, affordable wax crayons, the company produces the first box of eight Crayola crayons containing red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, brown, and black sticks.  It sells for a nickel.  The Crayola name, coined by Edwin Binney’s wife Alice, comes from “craie,” the French word for chalk, and “ola,” from “oleaginous.”

 

1904 - The company wins a gold Medal at the 1904 St. Louis World Exposition for their An-Du-Septic Dustless Chalk.

 

1920 - Crayola Rubens crayons for art students and Perma Pressed sharpenable fine art crayons are added to the growing product line, which also includes new Artista brand paints.

 

1936 - Binney & Smith becomes a founding member of the Crayon, Watercolor and Craft Institute, promoting product safety in art materials.  

 

1948 - To educate art teachers about the many ways to use the growing number of Crayola products, a teacher workshop program begins to offer in-school training across the country.

 

1949 - Crayola introduces the “Crayola 48” containing 48 color crayons in a “stadium seating” box.

 

1952 - A Binney & Smith plant in Winfield, Kansas opens to handle the company’s growing business.

 

1958 - The 64-color assortment of Crayola crayons – with a built-in sharpener – debuts.

 

1961 - Binney & Smith becomes a publicly held company.

 

1963 - Binney & Smith becomes a member of the American Stock Exchange May 1, with the symbol: BYS. 

 

1964 - Binney & Smith acquires Permanent Pigments Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio.  The Company manufactures LIQUITEX acrylic colors, oil colors, watercolors, varnishes, mediums and other supplies for the fine artist.

 

1969 - The company opens an additional plant in Easton, Pennsylvania, followed five years later by a new corporate headquarters.

 

1975 - Binney & Smith establishes a joint venture in Mexico, with manufacturing facilities located in Pastaje.

 

1976 - Corporate headquarters relocate from New York City to Forks Township in Easton, Pennsylvania.

 

1977 - In May, Binney & Smith acquires the rights to Silly Putty, one of the world’s best-loved toy classics.

 

1978 - Binney & Smith is listed on the New York Stock Exchange June 19, with the symbol: BYS.

Crayola crayons celebrate their 75th anniversary, and Crayola markers are introduced.  Craft and activity kits become a vital part of the company’s business.

 

1979 - All children’s product lines are repackaged to carry the Crayola trade name and all fine art materials are repackaged to carry the Liquitex trade name.

 

1980 - A private distributorship in Australia is purchased to form Binney & Smith (Australia) Pty. Ltd. to market and distribute finished Crayola products.

 

1984 - Binney & Smith becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards Inc., of Kansas City, Missouri, the world leader in personal expression products.Crayola DREAM-MAKERS art education program is introduced in the nation’s elementary schools. 

 

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