This is a company with roots. First established in 1761, Faber-Castell became famous when, in 1840, Lothar Von Faber set the standard for pencil lengths, diameters and grades of lead hardness inventing the HB system that is still in use today. These early Faber pencils were the first branded writing instruments in the world. Today Faber-Castell is a global brand producing some of the finest writing instruments on the market.