It’s back-to-school season, which means it’s time to stock up on school supplies. Let’s explore how these essential classroom tools have transformed over time and peek into their future. Get ready for a trip down memory lane.
1700s
The hornbook stands as one of history’s earliest documented school supplies, first appearing in England in 1450 but used more prominently in used in the late 1700s through the mid-1870s. These wooden tablets featured a handle and displayed the alphabet protected by a clear horn sheet. Children carried these portable learning aids to master their letters, often including prayers or passages for memorization.
1800s
The 1800s saw children gathering in one-room schoolhouses with basic school supplies – writing slates, chalk, and a few books bound together with leather straps or belts. Their lunches came in simple tin pails, quite different from today’s insulated containers.
Writing tablets emerged in the late 1800s, offering newsprint sheets with wide spacing for young writers. While most couldn’t afford paper tablets early on, they gained popularity much later in the 1950s and 60s, leading to the spiral notebooks we still use.
1900s
Early to mid-1900s brought paper and pencils into regular use, though students still transported their books by hand or belt rather than bags. The 1930s introduced Dick and Jane readers, which remained standard until the 1970s, teaching beginners with simple phrases like “See Jane run, see Dick run.”
1943 marked the arrival of Pee-Chee folders, featuring student athletes on their covers. Originally only available in peach (hence the name), these organizational tools now come in various colors and remain popular today.
The 1970s introduced pocket calculators to classrooms, evolving into today’s required scientific calculators for middle schoolers. The decade also launched the Trapper Keeper binder, which peaked in the 80s and 90s with its signature Velcro-sealed organizing system.
Backpacks also became the standard for carrying supplies in the 1980s and continue their reign, though experts now caution about their weight impact on developing bodies.
Today and Tomorrow’s School Supplies
Looking ahead, electronic tablets might revolutionize how we think about classroom tools. With built-in notepads, drawing programs, storage space, calculators, research capabilities, and e-books that allow highlighting and annotation, tablets could become the ultimate all-in-one solution for tomorrow’s learners.
Ready to learn more about supporting your child’s educational journey? Contact School is Easy for expert tutoring services and educational resources that help students thrive in today’s evolving classroom environment.
