• 1500 Pencils 12th Oct 2012

    Ever wondered what 1500 pencils look like..?

    1500 Cumberland Pencil Factory pencils

    As well as being famous for being the home of Millican, Keswick is more commonly recognised as the home of the pencil. And proud of it, too.

    What better writing equipment than a graphite pencil. Loved by famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.

    Legend has it that in the early 1500s, a violent storm in the Borrowdale area (the very same Borrowdale Valley where our own Millican Dalton made his home) led to trees being uprooted and the discovery of a strange black material underneath. This material turned out to be graphite, and shepherds began using it to mark their sheep.

    A cottage industry of pencil making soon developed, culminating in the formation of the UK’s first pencil factory in 1832. Exactly 1.1 miles from The Shed (Millican HQ), that’s 6 minutes on a bike. The factory still stands to this day.

    The Cumberland Pencil Factory, Keswick

    Although production moved to Lillyhall in Workington in 2008, the original factory (now empty) is central to the make-up of Keswick and lies fondly in the hearts of many Keswickians.

    We can tell you a thing or two about pencils – did you know that:

    - A pencil will write in zero gravity, and under water.

    - More than 14 billion pencils are produced in the world every year – enough to circle the globe 62 times.

    - One pencil will draw a line 70 miles long.

    - The first graphite pencil was created in Borrowdale.

    - The average pencil can be sharpened 17 times and write 45,000 words.

    - Dreaming that you are sharpening a pencil, suggests that you need to be more flexible in your way of thinking.

    Our fixation with pencils lead us (pun intended) to develop our very own. We’ve got together with The Cumberland Pencil Company to produce an un-dyed hexagonal barrel pencil using high grade graphite with wood sourced from forests accredited to the Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI).

    The great thing is, they’re made just down the road.

    Perfect combination – Matt the Moleskine Cover and Millican x The Cumberland Pencil Co.

    If you’re interested in one (or a few) of our pencils, we will soon be adding them to our shop. Feel free to drop us a line at hello@homeofmillican.com, and we’ll let you know when they’re in.

    More updates from the Pencil Factory to follow…

     

    By Rob

15 Comments

  1. Stephen Smith said on 12th October 2012, 09:38:

    Hi, I am interested in one of your pencils, or maybe a few as my wife usually pinches my pencils.

  2. Rob said on 12th October 2012, 09:45:

    Hi Stephen,

    If you could send me an email with your details and how many you would like, i’ll get some sent your way.

    Thanks,

    Rob

  3. Hannah said on 12th October 2012, 12:53:

    There is something inherently satisfying about writing your with a pencil instead of pen.

    What a great story. We would love a few…

  4. Rob said on 12th October 2012, 13:23:

    Good to hear that you share our passion Hannah…

  5. Stephen Lamb said on 17th October 2012, 10:18:

    I’d love some pencils – to write in my moleskine notebook.

    6 Sunray Avenue
    Herne Hill
    London
    SE24 9PY

  6. Darcy said on 18th October 2012, 07:44:

    I have a serious love of pencils, especially homegrown ones. Already a big fan of Derwent, I would love to try these. I draw every day, a pencil is never far away. Would be happy to give some away via my blog too.

    Darcy. X

  7. Rob said on 18th October 2012, 08:29:

    Hi all,

    We’re just in the process of waiting for the packaging to arrive with us. Please send an email to hello@homeofmillican.com with your details and we’ll get everything sorted.

    Thanks,

  8. Colin Green said on 21st October 2012, 10:32:

    I love the story of NASA being very proud about having developed a pen that would work in space, having spent millions they asked the Russians what they used – a pencil was the answer!! Gotta love the Space Race!! We still use pencils in the military as they will still write in the wet, upside down and on a myriad of surfaces! I’d love one of your pencils!!

  9. Geof said on 21st October 2012, 15:15:

    I am in need of pencils! Not available where I live!

  10. Nicholas said on 21st October 2012, 15:46:

    Wow what a great thing. I love using my Moleskine notebooks and with my ‘Matt’ cover and some of your cool pencils, I’ll be well sorted. Pencils are used in my office every day and are surely one of he greatest inventions.

  11. Rob said on 22nd October 2012, 08:42:

    Couldn’t agree more Nicholas.

  12. Nicholas said on 6th November 2012, 23:25:

    Hi again.

    Are the pencils ready yet, and how do I get hold of some? Matt the notebook cover is waiting with a new Moleskine inside!

  13. Rob said on 7th November 2012, 10:05:

    Hi Nicholas,

    If you would like to drop us an email on hello@homeofmillican.com with your details + delivery address we’ll contact you once they arrive in the next few weeks or so.

    Have a great day.

  14. Hector Borja said on 4th December 2012, 05:02:

    Pencils are a staple in my office which sits in the middle of a teen center where kids go after school to hang out. Whether its to do some homework or draw a bit, a pencil is never from arms reach. Great job using wood that is SFI stamped. I would love a couple of your pencils if you would ship to the states?

    4609 34th Street Apt 6
    San Diego, CA 92116

    Very much appreciate the work you do!

  15. Rob said on 4th December 2012, 09:56:

    Hey Hector, thanks for your feedback – much appreciated. We’ll be adding packs of pencils to our website in the next week or so. We can ship to the states no problem.

    Best wishes,

    Rob

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