Pencil manufacturing through the ages

Pencil manufacturing

Pencil manufacturing through the ages

We know that pencils have been in production since the 16th century. The old manual production methods have been consistently improved, mechanized and ultimately automated. But the basic principle has remained the same.

More and more work steps that were previously carried out manually are being made easier with machines.
The leads fired from a mixture of graphite and clay are glued in to a wooden board, a second board is placed over it and then the boards are cut into individual pencils.
The workers saw the blocks of wood into small boards. Grooves are planed into each board to hold the pencil leads.

More and more work steps that were previously carried out manually are being made easier with machines.
Sharpening is also carried out mechanically.
The pencils are still stamped by women.

Slate factory in Geroldsgrün

Slate factory in Geroldsgrün

Lothar von Faber founds a slate factory in the small town of Geroldsgrün in Upper Franconia. This marks a new addition to the range, which was primarily used in schools at the time. Wooden rules are produced here later, followed by slide rules further down the line.

Construction of a modern production building in Stein, around 1925

Construction of a modern production building in Stein, around 1925

In 1925, Count Alexander von Faber-Castell begins building a modern production complex. This makes manufacturing processes more efficient and production can be increased. The building with its enormous U-shaped design is still used for pencil production to this day.