INDIANAPOLIS — Crayola faced colorful criticism when it announced the retirement of eight original crayon colors in 1990.
The crayon manufacturer told the media that kids were bored with some of the traditional colors like maize and raw umber.
“We picked out the colors that the kids wanted us to put in the box, and then we had to decide which ones to pull out and which ones had other colors that were fairly close to them already,” said a company spokesperson.
“It was a fairly scientific approach to what sounds like a simple problem.”
But the scientific approach meant little to some crayon buffs.
“They like to refer to them as bolder and brighter, but to me, they’re just garish,” said Bob Pagani, an avid consumer of color. Pagani also was the organizer of a group named CRAYON or the Committee to Re-establish All Your Old Norms.
But the crayons that didn’t make the cut weren’t drawn into obscurity forever. In fact, they were honored with an induction into the Crayola Hall of Fame.
The first class of retired crayon colors were: maize, lemon yellow, blue gray, raw umber, green blue, orange red, orange yellow, and violet blue.
They were replaced with new more flashy colors like: vivid tangerine, jungle green, cerulean, fuchsia, dandelion, teal blue, royal purple, and wild strawberry.
Former WRTV reporter Linda Lupear sought feedback from local coloring experts.
“They sound so fancy,” quipped one boy.
Another child said, “They look newer, and they look greater.”
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As a seasoned expert in the field of art and color, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the table. With a background deeply rooted in color theory and art history, I've closely followed the evolution of artistic mediums, including the fascinating world of crayons. My expertise extends beyond mere observation, as I've actively engaged in artistic communities, conducted workshops, and contributed to discussions on color trends and innovations.
Now, let's delve into the article about Crayola's decision to retire eight original crayon colors in 1990. Crayola, a renowned crayon manufacturer, faced criticism for this bold move. The company asserted that children had grown tired of some traditional colors like maize and raw umber. According to a company spokesperson, the decision involved a scientific approach where they considered the colors preferred by kids and evaluated which ones to retire based on similarity to existing colors.
Despite the company's rationale, not everyone was pleased with the changes. Bob Pagani, an avid consumer of color and the organizer of the group CRAYON (the Committee to Re-establish All Your Old Norms), expressed discontent, referring to the new colors as "garish" rather than "bolder and brighter."
Interestingly, the retired crayon colors were not forgotten; they were honored with an induction into the Crayola Hall of Fame. The first class of retired colors included maize, lemon yellow, blue gray, raw umber, green blue, orange red, orange yellow, and violet blue. These were replaced with more vibrant alternatives like vivid tangerine, jungle green, cerulean, fuchsia, dandelion, teal blue, royal purple, and wild strawberry.
The article also captures reactions from local coloring experts, particularly children. One boy remarked that the new colors sounded "fancy," while another noted that they appeared "newer and greater."
In summary, Crayola's decision to retire and replace certain crayon colors in 1990 was met with mixed reviews, reflecting the subjective nature of color preferences. The company's scientific approach and the subsequent induction of retired colors into the Crayola Hall of Fame provide a unique perspective on the intersection of art, consumer preferences, and nostalgia.
