Blackboard - Etymology and History

Etymology and History

The blackboard was invented by James Pillans, headmaster of the Royal High School, Edinburgh, Scotland. He used it with colored chalk to teach geography.

The blackboard was in use in Indian schools in the 11th century as per Alberuni’s Indica (Tarikh Al-Hind), written in the early 11th century– They use black tablets for the children in the schools, and write upon them along the long side, not the broadside, writing with a white material from the left to the right. One would think that the author of the following verses had meant the Hindus : — “How many a writer uses paper as black as charcoal, Whilst his pen writes on it with white color. By writing he places a bright day in a dark night, weaving like a weaver, but without adding a woof.”

The term "blackboard" dates from around 1815 to 1825 while the newer and predominantly American term, "chalkboard" dates from 1935 to 1940.

The blackboard was introduced into the US education system in 1801.