<P> Conté , also known as Conté sticks or Conté crayons , are a drawing medium composed of compressed powdered graphite or charcoal mixed with a wax or clay base , square in cross-section . They were invented in 1795 by Nicolas - Jacques Conté , who created the combination of clay and graphite in response to the shortage of graphite caused by the Napoleonic Wars ( the British naval blockade of France prevented import ) . Conté crayons had the advantage of being cost - effective to produce , and easy to manufacture in controlled grades of hardness . </P>
<P> Conté , also known as Conté sticks or Conté crayons , are a drawing medium composed of compressed powdered graphite or charcoal mixed with a wax or clay base , square in cross-section . They were invented in 1795 by Nicolas - Jacques Conté , who created the combination of clay and graphite in response to the shortage of graphite caused by the Napoleonic Wars ( the British naval blockade of France prevented import ) . Conté crayons had the advantage of being cost - effective to produce , and easy to manufacture in controlled grades of hardness . </P>
conte crayon is made from graphite that is mixed with
conte crayon is made from graphite that is mixed with
a wax or clay base
a wax or clay base