Crayola has been famous for their colorful crayons since 1903, so you’d think the ability to see the full color spectrum would be a prerequisite for the job of making them. But, just like that English teacher who never learned how to read, after a thirty seven year career at Crayola spanning 1.4 billion crayons, the corporation’s top crayon maker surprised everyone when he announced that he’d been colorblind the entire time he worked there.
Emerson Moser, a senior crayon maker for Crayola, made the announcement upon retiring, leaving a lot of jaws dropped and eyes popped. Statistically, Moser’s condition isn’t as uncommon as you may think. Up to eight percent of men have colorblindness in some form.
Colorblindness is due to having fewer photoreceptors. The unfortunate thing about colorblindness, is that it can restrict some career choices. For instance, Air Force pilots cannot be colorblind, nor electricians or firefighters.
About Crayola
History: The company traces its origins back to 1885 when Joseph Binney and C. Harold Smith founded the Peekskill Chemical Works in New York. In 1902, the brand name “Crayola” was coined, originating from the French word “craie,” which means “chalk,” and “ola,” denoting a crayon.
Crayons:
Crayola initially produced dustless chalk, but it gained significant attention for its colorful wax crayons. Their crayons became hugely popular, offering a wide variety of vibrant colors and eventually introducing the iconic 64-color box in the mid-20th century.
Expansion:
Over the years, Crayola expanded its product line to include markers, colored pencils, paints, modeling compounds and various art supplies for kids and adults.
Innovation:
The company has been known for its innovative approach, regularly introducing new colors and products to meet consumer demand and market trends.
Sustainability:
Crayola has shown a commitment to sustainability, making efforts to produce environmentally friendly products, like using solar energy in manufacturing and offering recycled markers.
Educational Initiatives:
The company has also been involved in various educational programs and initiatives aimed at promoting art education and creativity in schools and communities.
Crayola remains a prominent and trusted brand in the world of art supplies, beloved by children, artists and educators alike for its wide array of high-quality and imaginative products.
About Colorblindness
Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is a visual condition in which a person experiences difficulty distinguishing certain colors or perceiving them accurately. It’s often an inherited condition but can also result from eye diseases, aging, or certain medications.
Most commonly, color blindness affects the perception of red, green and blue shades. There are different types of color blindness:
Red-Green Color Blindness:
This is the most common type and affects the ability to distinguish between red and green colors.
Blue-Yellow Color Blindness:
A less common form that affects the perception of blue and yellow colors.
Complete Color Blindness (Monochromacy):
A rare condition where a person sees everything in shades of gray.
Color blindness occurs when the cone cells in the retina, which are responsible for detecting color, do not function correctly. This can make it challenging for affected individuals to differentiate between specific colors or see them as different shades.
While color blindness can affect everyday activities like interpreting traffic lights or distinguishing between certain shades, many people adapt and develop coping strategies to navigate their surroundings effectively. In certain professions, however, such as being a pilot, electrician, or graphic designer, accurate color vision is crucial, and color blindness can present challenges.
