Etch A Sketch

Definition

A mechanical drawing toy featuring a gray screen and two knobs that control horizontal and vertical lines, allowing users to create simple images by moving a stylus. Released in 1959, it remains popular for its simplicity and the challenge of drawing without being able to erase.

Example Usage

She entertained herself on the flight by drawing doodles on her Etch A Sketch.

Origin

Invented by André Cassagnes in France in the late 1950s; the name evokes the sound of the stylus etching on the screen and the ease of clearing it.

Fun Fact

An artist named Jeff Giacomelli created detailed Etch A Sketch portraits and sold one for $16,000 at auction.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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