This Is The Real Reason Why Erasers Are Pink

The first pink standalone pencil eraser made its debut in 1916, but why was this helpful tool ever pink in the first place?

It might seem like a silly question, but it is a pretty random colour to be erasing with when you really think about it!

The truth behind the iconic choice has to do with materials. Old school erasers were made with a mix of rubber and pumice, the pumice element being necessary to cause enough friction for the pencil marks to actually erase.

The colour of the erasers at that time would have been based on the colour of the pumice used in the recipe. Most pumice was white or red, but at one point the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company sourced pink pumice and plopped it atop their pencils.

The colour proved popular with consumers, which led to the aforementioned 1916 pink eraser known as the ‘Pink Pearl.’

Pink Pearls are actually still being made today, only now they are produced under the Paper Mate brand. Interestingly enough, pumice is no longer used in erasers, nor is natural rubber, so the only thing that’s really stuck in these bad boys is the colour.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.