Why do pencils have 6 ridges. Why not 8? or 7?...also why are their erasers so short compared to the pencil. People make lots of mistakes. IS ANYBODY A PENCIL EXPERT OUT THERE???
2006-09-10 10:50:35 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
Most pencils have six sides. If you cut one across and look at the
end, it is shaped like a hexagon. There are three reasons for this.
First, it is cheaper to make pencils with six sides because more
pencils can be made from the same amount of wood. The wood that could make eight round pencils can be made into nine hexagonal ones. Two other reasons for hexagonal pencils: They are less likely to roll off a desk than round ones, and easier to sharpen than square ones.
The eraser has to be short or it would break off.
2006-09-10 11:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by konala 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think six is a good number because, if there were more ridge, then it might dig into your finger if you write a lot. Less ridges would cause you to loose the flexibility of easily rolling the pencil around in your hand. If the pencil is completely round, its too slippery and unstable to use. Please be happy with the time-honored use of the six-ridged pencil. The eraser is fine too I think. All I want to do is bite on in anyway.
2006-09-10 17:55:40 · answer #2 · answered by Casey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they probably made it w/ 6 ridges because it needed to be an exact size and if it was bigger it would have more ridges. About the eraser, it would look retarded with a huge erasere. If you have a problem with the erasers put an eraser top on it to make it "longer". I don't know why you want to know this but hope I helped.
2006-09-10 17:57:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The six-sided design was found most comfortable by test - writers. A round pencil, while being comfortable to hold, tends to roll away too easily. The erasers are made to the maximum length possible for good performance / durability. A longer eraser would remain in one place while the wrist was moved and be more apt to snap off.
2006-09-10 17:55:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why are you asking these questions? Are you doing homework? Why would you want to know this? Have you searched it on google?
.....
I see we have a miss questionaire lol jk I suggest using google search or yahoo search and type "Pencil History"
2006-09-10 17:57:02 · answer #5 · answered by czubl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you make the erasers too long then they will keep bending back and break and if you have too many ridges then that would hurt your fingers.
2006-09-10 17:52:51 · answer #6 · answered by allyblove111 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
u have six fingers so there r 6 ridges
erasers r short because a big eraser causes pimples
trust me im an expert!!
2006-09-10 17:53:37 · answer #7 · answered by reporter monkeys 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What has this got to do with current events? Like, have I missed something?
2006-09-10 19:06:03 · answer #8 · answered by lollipoppett2005 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You must have been really bored to think of this question. But now that you ask, Why is it that way? I have no idea.
2006-09-10 17:52:37 · answer #9 · answered by Kiwi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
noooooo but y do u care? lol
2006-09-10 17:52:18 · answer #10 · answered by dee_dee A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋