Dry-erase markers were invented by Jerry Woolf of Techform Laboratories and later patented by the Pilot Pen stationery company in 1975. The Sanford Ink Company came out with their own dry-erase marker in 1976 called “EXPO,” and these markers grew popular in the U.S. throughout the 90s as a cleaner alternative to chalk.

EXPO is a leading manufacturer of whiteboard and dry erase board accessories. Create picture-perfect lessons and presentations with dry erase markers that are easy to view on whiteboards, glass, and most nonporous surfaces.

Just like the wet erase marker, dry erase markers work on whiteboards, signboards, glass or any other kind of non-porous surface. The most significant difference between dry erase and wet erase markers is that dry erase markers are easy to wipe away, making them the best selection for temporary use.

In fact, Expo markers were the first of the Dry erase kind. Previous to 1975, when the dry erase marker was invented, whiteboard markers were bulky. They also had the tendency to stain whiteboards, making the whiteboards unable to be read or written on after a while.

Plastic resin is injected into a cap and marker body mold to create the body and cap pieces. Marker caps and plugs are formed in the same manner as the barrel or the “body”. Ink reservoir is the holder of the ink that is placed in the body and connected to the tip, in order to create the writing ability of the pen.

After realizing his mistake, Heit instinctively tried to erase the marking, only to learn that the marker wiped away easily. As a result, Heit accidentally stumbled upon the invention of a dry erase board and took it to market a few years later.

When it comes to whiteboard vs. dry erase board, the truth is that they are the same material. The materials they're typically made of include melamine, porcelain and glass.

Dry Erase Markers Expo Markers are generally Dry Erase Markers that are able to erase easily with a dry cloth, a paper towel, or an expo eraser from surfaces like whiteboards, glass, and plastic.

Add an element of surprise by using EXPO markers on a wide variety of surfaces. EXPO markings are easy to wipe off of most non-porous surfaces, which means most mirrors, windows, and even glass shower doors are all fair game. Mix things up every now and then by moving your messages, and have some fun with it.

The plastic in expo markers is called silicone oil. This plastic is what makes up the outside portion of a marker that protects our skin from directly touching the ink inside the marker.

The plastic in expo markers is called silicone oil. This plastic is what makes up the outside portion of a marker that protects our skin from directly touching the ink inside the marker.

Ingredient Information

• Deionized Water. Function : Universal solvent.
• 1-Butoxy-2-Propanol. Function : Coupling agent/solvent.
• PPG-2 Methyl Ether. Function : Coupling agent/solvent.
• Methylisothiazolinone. Function : Biocide.
• Sodium Carbonate. Function : pH adjuster.
• C12-15 Pareth-4. Function : Surfactant.
• Download SDS.

The ink itself is made of a pigment or dye to give it a color, a resin to make it stick to a writing surface, and a solvent to make the ink move through the marker. A plastic top seals one end of the marker off, and a felt tip makes it possible to write with the other end.

Dry erase markers are better than chalk in a number of ways; they are unaffected by water, they can be applied to a board using less pressure, and they erase more easily than chalk. Dry erase markers were made for non-porous surfaces, which is why they work well on mirrors, metals and glass.

Most whiteboard markers consist of three components: color pigment, a solvent and an oily silicone polymer (also known as a “release agent”).

The ink itself is made of a pigment or dye to give it a color, a resin to make it stick to a writing surface, and a solvent to make the ink move through the marker. A plastic top seals one end of the marker off, and a felt tip makes it possible to write with the other end.