May 24, 2025

Rub It Out: Fun & Curious Facts About Erasers

Nayra Jain

Invented By Mistake

The eraser was discovered in 1770 when an Englishman accidentally used rubber instead of breadcrumbs to remove pencil marks—marking the birth of the first true eraser.

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Rubber Replaced Bread

Before erasers, people used rolled-up bread to rub out pencil marks. It worked reasonably well, but rubber proved more durable and cleaner once discovered.

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Not All Are Rubber

Many modern erasers are made from vinyl, plastic, or synthetic rubber. These materials offer better performance and durability than natural rubber in most cases.

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Erasers Use Friction

Erasers remove pencil by sticking to the graphite and lifting it from the paper’s surface through friction. That’s why rubbing causes smudging or tiny debris.

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Pumice Adds Abrasion

Some erasers contain pumice, a volcanic rock, to enhance their abrasiveness. This helps scrub tougher marks but can damage delicate paper if overused.

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Coloured Erasers Aren’t Just Cute

The colour of an eraser can indicate its use—white vinyl ones are gentler, while coloured ones may be tougher or have added materials for specific tasks.

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Ink Isn’t Eraser-friendly

Despite appearances, most erasers cannot remove ink. Ink bonds chemically with paper, while pencil sits on the surface. Erasable ink pens use special formulas.

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Two-tone Erasers Explained

The blue side of a two-tone eraser isn’t for ink—it’s for rough paper or darker marks. The myth that it erases ink is widespread but incorrect.

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Art Erasers Work Differently

Artists often use kneaded erasers, which lift graphite without rubbing. These can be shaped to erase fine details and don’t damage paper like standard ones.

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Erasers Have A Shelf Life

Over time, erasers dry out, harden, or crumble, especially natural rubber ones. Storing them away from heat and sunlight can prolong their usefulness.

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Thanks For Reading!

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