TIL that all graphite for pencils used to come from England until the discovery of a high quality...

TIL that all graphite for pencils used to come from England until the discovery of a high quality graphite deposit in the far east of Russia near the Chinese border in the late 19th century. "Chinese" pencils made from this deposit were considered better, so American manufacturers started painting pencils the colour of Chinese imperial robes. Now you know why pencils are yellow.
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