Crayola Trademarks the Smell of Its Crayons

It’s too soon for this back-to-school season, but Crayola envisions one day pumping the scent into the aisles of retailers.

Close-up of a large pile of crayons in assorted colors.

Photographer: Sipa USA/Alamy Stock Photo

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You may find yourself smelling crayons in the aisles of stores soon — if Crayola’s Chief Executive Officer Pete Ruggiero has his way.

In July, the US Patent and Trademark Office issued a trademark to the arts and crafts giant for the smell of its crayons — that waxy scent of a childhood spent trying to color within the lines. While it’s too soon for this back-to-school season, Ruggiero imagines one day pumping it through the aisles of retailers, triggering nostalgia while shoppers are browsing and hopefully buying more crayons.