jadel wrote:
Steve wrote:

I've always assumed they used real lead at one time or that name

would

have never been used. I wonder how long ago real lead was last used?



Real lead was never used. Apparently pure graphite was intially
referred to as "plumbago"--black lead-- because people thought it was a
form of lead.
Apparently the thinking was something like this"...hmmm, soft, heavy,
black, sort of greasy feeling, must be lead."

Chemistry wasn't an exact science back then.

J. Del Col


Thanks. That makes sense.

Steve