Graphite is a form of carbon, first discovered in Borrowdale England in 1564. But later, Nicolas Conte a French chemist in 1795 used the mixture of clay and graphite that was fired and put in the wooden case. The lead was glued into the wooden case.

His method of kiln firing the mixture of clay and graphite helped in making pencils of any hardness and softness which is important to artists and draftsman.