Historical information
The first classroom uses of large blackboards are difficult to date, but they were used for music education and composition in Europe as far back as the 16th century.The term "blackboard" is attested in English from the mid-18th century; the Oxford English Dictionary provides a citation from 1739, to write "with Chalk on a black-Board". The first attested use of chalk on blackboard in the United States dates to 1801, in a lecture course in mathematics given by George Baron. James Pillans has been credited with the invention of coloured chalk (1814); he had a recipe with ground chalk, dyes and porridge!
The use of blackboards did change methods of education. Manufacturing of slate blackboards began by the 1840s. A green porcelain enamel surface was first used in 1930, and as this type of board became popular, the word "chalkboard" appeared.
Various types of easel have been in use since ancient times, in particular for supporting paintings and other artwork. However, the schoolroom easel would have been introduced around the same time as when the blackboard started to be used in educational establishments.
Physical description
Wooden board painted black, resting on wooden easel with rope supporting the three easel legs.
Inscriptions & markings
None
Subjects
References
- Blackboard A brief description of the blackboard, including its history, and its advantages and disadvantages.
- The Simple Genius of the Blackboard A very comprehensive history of the blackboard from an American perspective.
- History of the Easel A description and history of numerous types of easels dating from ancient times.
- The World of Easels Description and illustrations of the variety of easels available, and their use.
