Why are "pencils" hexagonal while "colored pencils" are round? The "all-too-rational reason" hidden in the difference in shape | Structure | Business | Thinking Methods | Trivia | SNS Strategy
Hello everyone! This is Kuro no Ichigo😊
A series questioning the everyday norms. This time, it's about the stationery staples, "pencils" and "colored pencils".
Take a close look at the pencil on your desk. A regular pencil is "hexagonal," right? But if you look at the colored pencil next to it... wait? Aren't most of them "round"?
"Since both just have lead inside wood, why is it necessary to have different shapes?" Actually, there is a surprisingly deep reason for the presence or absence of those few millimeters of edges.
1. The reason why pencils are "hexagonal": The magic of multiples of 3
Pencils are hexagonal because when humans hold them, they support them with "three fingers (thumb, index finger, and middle finger)."
With six sides, which is a multiple of 3, the fingers fit perfectly against the sides, providing stability. Also, pencils are primarily tools for writing text. They are made hexagonal to also serve as a stopper so they don't roll off the desk.
It is truly a crystallization of "functionality and stability"; that is the hexagon.
2. The reason why colored pencils are "round": The delicate circumstances of the lead
So, why are colored pencils round? The biggest reason lies in the "hardness of the lead."
Regular pencils: Made of graphite and clay, the lead is hard and durable.
Colored pencils: Made of colored pigments and "wax," the lead is very soft and breaks easily.
If you were to make colored pencils hexagonal, the pressure applied to the lead during the painting and processing stages would be uneven, causing the soft lead inside to snap. Therefore, a "round shape" was adopted to allow the pressure to be distributed evenly.
Also, colored pencils are often used not just for writing text, but for drawing pictures, where you "lay the pen down or rotate it while coloring." They are intentionally made without edges so they can move smoothly at any angle.
3. Kuro no Ichigo's infusion of soul
Now, this is where the "Kuro-style" main point comes in.
This difference in pencil shapes also applies to our "content creation and team building."
Hexagonal (pencil) strategy: When there is a clear purpose of "writing text (conveying accurate information)," you need a sense of stability and sharp "edges (unique angles)." A shaft that doesn't roll (doesn't waver) creates trust.
Round (colored pencil) strategy: When the purpose is "drawing pictures (expanding expression, appealing to sensibilities)," rigid edges get in the way. The flexibility to change angles and the softness to accept multiple colors (diverse perspectives)—in other words, "roundness"—becomes your greatest weapon.
Is the content you are creating now a "pencil" that conveys accuracy, or a "colored pencil" that expands expression? Forcing an inappropriate "shape (vessel)" while ignoring the characteristics of the "material (content)" will cause the lead to snap (it won't last long).
Optimize the shape to match the contents. The person who can make these fine adjustments is the one who wins in the end.
In conclusion
The next time you pick up a pencil and a colored pencil, try feeling the 'corners' and 'roundness' with your fingertips. Packed within them is over 100 years of wisdom on how to make the most of the materials.
Does your communication style match your content and form?
See you in the next article 😌
#KuroNoIchigo #Pencil #ColoredPencil #ReasonForDesign #MysteryOfStructure #BusinessOptimization #ThinkingMethod #DailyPost