Ticonderoga pencils. It almost seems like a sure thing…with a standout name like Ticonderoga, you might assume that these pencils are – or were – made right here in Ti. The truth is, the pencils themselves were never made in Ticonderoga, but the graphite originally used in the pencils was mined in Ticonderoga.
Ticonderoga pencils were made in the U.S.A. After securing a patent in 1839 they were produced by the Dixon Ticonderoga Company, a 19th century company begun by a few idealist Early American manufacturers, whose guiding principle was “Best of Its Kind“. The early branding image was indeed indicative of the American Revolution…Ethan Allen was depicted right on the box. Since it’s emergence in the late 1800’s, the Ticonderoga pencil became and remains a familiar product that seems to come fully loaded with bonafide built-in Made In The USA quality and persona.
Interesting factoid about Ticonderoga pencils: Roald Dahl, best-selling author of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” sharpened six of them each day before he started writing.
Alas, this iconic Early American product is no longer produced in the U.S.A. but in – where else – China. (I do like how they teach you how to pronounce Ticonderoga here on their website, though, pretty cool.)