Lead to that of primary lead; some refining processes may be skipped depending on the material recycled and its potential contamination. Of the sources of lead for recycling, lead–acid batteries are the most important; lead pipe, sheet, and cable sheathing are also significant. Contrary to popular belief, pencil leads in wooden pencils have never been made from lead. When the pencil originated as a wrapped graphite writing tool, the particular type of graphite used was named "plumbago" (literally, "act for lead" or "lead mockup"). Lead metal has several useful mechanical properties, including high density, low melting point, ductility, and relative inertness.
White lead for bearings and in machine shops. What is commonly known today as the "Dutch method" for the preparation of white lead was described as early as Theophrastus of Eresos (ca. 300 BC), in his brief work on rocks or minerals, "On Stones" or "History of Stones." His directions for the process were repeated throughout history by many authors of chemical and alchemical literature. The uses of cerussa were described as an external medication and pigment. Clifford Dyer Holley quotes from Theophrastus' "History of Stones" as follows, in his book "The Lead and Zinc Pigments". Lead is placed in earthen vessels