From school desks to artists’ studios, the humble pencil has been a constant companion for generations. But in an age of smartphones, screens and AI, why does one of the world’s most recognisable pencils continue to hold such enduring appeal?
As the STAEDTLER Noris pencil celebrates its 125th anniversary, the story of its remarkable longevity offers a fascinating look at how a simple creative tool has evolved with the times while remaining a constant in the lives of generations.
First introduced 125 years ago in 1901, the Noris has become synonymous with learning, drawing and self-expression. Its distinctive black-and-yellow stripes, introduced in 1955, are now instantly recognisable around the world.
The scale of its enduring popularity is striking. In the UK alone, approximately 45 million Noris pencils were sold in 2025. At just under 18cm each, laid end-to-end, that’s enough pencil to stretch approximately 810 million centimetres, or reach the height of Big Ben more than 84,000 times. Globally, 119 million Noris graphite pencils were produced in the same year. Today, the Noris graphite pencil is sold in 101 countries, with the wider Noris brand available in approximately 127 countries.
Yet, while its instantly recognisable design has remained largely unchanged, the Noris has continued to evolve. In 2022, STAEDTLER introduced an upcycled wood version, reflecting the brand’s continued focus on innovation and sustainability.
The Noris story also extends far beyond the classroom. Over the decades, the iconic black-and-yellow pencil has found its way into popular culture and public art, including a giant pencil sculpture installed in Seville in 1987 as part of an art event, followed by a 15-metre-high Noris pencil in Barcelona in 1990, created as a promotional landmark for the 7th International Cartoon Salon.
Today, STAEDTLER is a truly global business, with almost 2,000 employees worldwide, six manufacturing plants across the globe, including four in Germany and affiliated companies in 25 countries. Its products reach every continent and are represented in 150 countries.
To mark this milestone, STAEDTLER is bringing the story of the Noris pencil to life this August with Home of the Pencil, an immersive pop-up experience coming to Monmouth Street in the heart of Seven Dials, Covent Garden.
The free experience will invite all ages to rediscover the simple joy of putting pencil to paper, with live portrait artists, interactive drawing experiences and hands-on workshops exploring drawing, doodling and creative writing.
Visitors will have the opportunity to receive complimentary portraits from talented artists including Mr Lee, Lucia Vinti and Elly Bazigos, alongside musician and immersive artist Ratbag, who will create bespoke pencil illustrations throughout the activation.
A programme of creative workshops will also feature renowned artists and illustrators including Natalya Lobanova, cartoonist for The New Yorker and The Guardian; bestselling, multi-award-winning author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, creator of the viral Draw With Rob series; comics and manga artist Han Rivers; and London-based urban sketcher Phil Dean, aka Shoreditch Sketcher.
The anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable 125-year journey – and to ask why, despite the rise of screens, smartphones and AI, the humble pencil remains such a powerful tool for learning, imagination and self-expression.
