Crayola Corporate

The story of Crayola begins not with crayons, but with a partnership formed in 1885 between cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith. Operating as Binney & Smith in New York City, the duo initially focused on industrial pigments, producing red oxide for barn paint and carbon black for car tires. It wasn't until the turn of the century that the company shifted its gaze toward the classroom, noticing a distinct lack of safe, affordable, and quality art materials for children. In a moment of inspiration that would color the childhoods of generations to come, they developed a new wax crayon formula.

In 1903, the very first box of Crayola crayons rolled off the assembly line. The name 'Crayola' was coined by Edwin's wife, Alice Binney, a former schoolteacher who cleverly combined the French word 'craie' (chalk) with 'ola' (from oleaginous, meaning oily). That original box contained just eight colors, but it sparked a revolution in creative expression. Over the decades, the company expanded its palette, introducing the iconic 64-count box with the built-in sharpener in 1958, a feature that became a symbol of childhood joy. In 1984, the company became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., and in 2007, it officially changed its name from Binney & Smith to Crayola LLC, aligning its corporate identity with its most beloved brand. Today, Crayola continues to inspire creativity through a vast portfolio of art tools, crafting activities, and interactive 'Crayola Experience' attractions.