Coloring History

Crayola is changing the name of its “Indian red” crayon to avoid misunderstandings over the color’s origin. The Easton, Penn., company says Indian red was based on a reddish-brown pigment commonly found near India. But the manufacturer has gotten complaints from teachers who say students think the color has to do with American Indians.

Suggestions for the new name will be accepted over the next three months. The name change is only the third in the 96-year history of Crayola. In 1958, “Prussian blue” was renamed “midnight blue,” and in 1962 “flesh” was changed to “peach.”