History of the Blackboard

        The initial blackboards were thin sheets that were smooth to touch. Dark grey or black colored boards had a wooden frame to protect them from breaking. Before the blackboard era, students carried slates which they kept in the lap during classes. In Scotland, a geography teacher took all the slates from the students and mounted together on the wall and used the entire set-up to teach the whole classroom instead of writing on individual slates. In addition to creating a revolution by such an idea, this system led to the idea of blackboards and saved classroom time for students.

        Though blackboards have been around as early as 1801 in the academic schools in the US, it got its name only during 1820. Even today, blackboards are seen in various classrooms, galleries, halls and even in restaurants to display “menu of the day” or even prices! You may even see blackboards during dart matches to record team scores.

        Since its introduction, blackboards and chalks have undergone various stages right from the material used to creating dustless chalks. The colored chalks used today are made from a natural crystal called gypsum. Liquid chalks, water soluble yet water proof chalks that are non-toxic, chalk pens of different colors have been introduced into the market.

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