Back-to-school: Why pencils are still so popular — billions a year are sold

So much for the whole world going digital: It turns out we’re still very much a nation of pencil pushers.

Yes, the writing tool that we all remember from childhood is holding its own even in an era when so many of us turn to computers and smartphones to do most of our communication and note-taking. Just ask any parent who has to buy a boatload of pencils during the current back-to-school shopping season.

And…