If you do most of your writing and class assignments on a computer, you probably don’t use an eraser that often.

But if you still like to use a pencil from time to time, an eraser comes in very handy.

The eraser was invented in France in 1752, according to most published accounts. Believe it or not, rolled-up pieces of white bread were used to remove pencil marks before the advent of the eraser.

For some people, erasers are reminders that we all make mistakes from time to time. These supple, (see definition below) little tools give us the freedom to write, draw or even do mathematical equations, knowing that our work can always be changed, if needed.

You might say that erasers are precursors to our modern-day “delete” buttons!

Cool word vocabulary question of the day: Can you think of other supple objects that make our day-to-day lives easier?

SUPPLE: Bending easily, flexible, compliant.