In the year 1795, a man named N. J. Conte invented pencils. These pencils were prepared of graphite that had been ground with certain types of muds, pressed into sticks, and fired in a furnace. This technique is the basis for the fabrication of all types of pencils available today. Nowadays, pencils are obtainable in more than 350 looks, each made for a specific usage, and may be bought in around 72 colors.