Sharp

A century ago, this company was founded by an inventor.
Now we’re inventing a personalized future
that will allow people everywhere to Be Original.
Be Original. Sharp shapes the future.

Sharp Origins: The Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil

This mechanical pencil was invented in 1915 by Sharp’s founder, Tokuji Hayakawa.
Facing sluggish sales in Japan, it was introduced to the West where it quickly became popular.
Driven by international success, its popularity came home to Japan, and it was renamed
the Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil. Derived from this groundbreaking innovation, the Sharp name lives on