Etch A Sketch

An Etch A Sketch is a red drawing toy with a gray screen. You turn two white knobs to draw lines and pictures. When you want to start over, you just shake it and the screen goes blank.

How the Etch A Sketch Works

Inside an Etch A Sketch is a layer of tiny aluminum powder. The powder coats the inside of the screen, making it look gray. When you turn the knobs, a small point scrapes the powder off, leaving dark lines.

The left knob moves the line left and right. The right knob moves it up and down. By turning both knobs at the same time, you can draw curves and circles.

The History of Etch A Sketch

The Etch A Sketch was invented in France by Andre Cassagnes in the late 1950s. The Ohio Art Company started selling it in the United States in 1960. It became one of the best-selling toys of the year.

Some artists can create amazing pictures on an Etch A Sketch. They spend hours carefully turning the knobs. The Etch A Sketch even appeared in the Toy Story movies as a character.

Fun Facts

• To erase an Etch A Sketch, you turn it upside down and shake it.
• The Etch A Sketch was one of the first toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.
• Some artists can make incredibly detailed portraits on an Etch A Sketch.

Did You Know?

The Etch A Sketch was invented by a Frenchman who worked in a factory and got the idea from markings on a light switch plate.