But whiteboards didn't start appearing in schools until the 1990s. The reason for their adoption? Computers. Late-century articles heralding the advent of the classroom whiteboard all cited the effect of chalk dust on computers as the impetus for eliminating chalkboards.

Why did schools stop using chalkboards?

Chalkboards use chalk as its writing utensil, but since chalk is made of compressed dust it can be harmful to students with dust allergies. ... While the chalkboard still remains a part of most American classrooms, school designers no longer use chalkboards in their new school designs.

Why did schools switch to whiteboards?

The significant change to whiteboards came around 1994-1995 when it became obvious that chalk dust affected nearby computers. Over the next decade, chalkboards made their way out of schools and businesses, and whiteboards replaced them. The earliest whiteboards were melamine or an enameled hard surface.