A Brief History of Blue Books: A Tradition That Endures at KCAI

• Posted on 26 September 2025
• 0

If you’ve taken a test at KCAI—or anywhere else, for that matter—you’ve probably encountered the humble blue book. With its simple blue cover and lined pages, this little booklet has been a staple of essay exams for generations. But where did this academic tradition come from, and why is it still around?

The Origins of the Blue Book

The exact beginnings of the blue book are somewhat debated, but most historians trace it back to the early 20th century. It’s believed that Butler University in Indianapolis began using blue books in the 1920s as a standardized tool for essay-based exams. While the origins may be unclear, the blue book quickly spread to colleges and universities across the country, becoming the go-to format for written tests.

The term “blue book” refers to the booklet’s distinctive blue cover. This choice of color was likely due to the availability of cheap, durable blue paper at the time. Over the years, the blue book became a symbol of academia, particularly for courses that value critical thinking and clear, organized writing.

Why KCAI Still Uses Blue Books

In a world where almost everything has gone digital, it may seem surprising that blue books are still in use here at KCAI. But they’re more than just a tradition—they offer real benefits for students and faculty alike.

Simplicity and Focus: Blue books help level the playing field. They’re inexpensive and provide a distraction-free format for exams. Without the buzz of laptops or tablets, you can focus entirely on the task at hand: getting your thoughts down on paper. This simplicity allows you to channel your energy into crafting a thoughtful, well-organized essay response.

Uniformity in Exams: The standardized format of the blue book ensures consistency across students’ work. Everyone gets the same amount of space to write, making it easier for instructors to evaluate responses on an even footing.

Reliability: No internet connection? No problem. Blue books don’t crash, freeze, or delete your work unexpectedly. For exams, this reliability means you can focus on demonstrating what you’ve learned without worrying about technological failures.

Cultivating Essential Skills: At KCAI, we’re all about honing your craft. Writing by hand in a blue book encourages clear thinking and deliberate writing. Without the luxury of easy edits or spell check, you’re pushed to organize your ideas effectively from the get-go. These are the kinds of skills that serve you not only in exams but also in your artistic practice and professional life.

Blue Book’s Surprise Resurgence in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT become more prevalent in education, many instructors are reverting to handwritten essay exams as a means to ensure authenticity and original thinking. When students write in a blue book, it’s clear that the work is their own. There’s no autofill, no predictive text, no pre-written prompts—just a student, a pen, and a blank page.

At KCAI, where personal voice and creative process are core to everything we do, this shift feels especially relevant. The blue book isn’t just a test format—it’s a canvas for original thought, and a reminder that sometimes the most direct path to expression is through your own handwriting.

Get Your Blue Books at the Underground

If you’re preparing for exams or need to stock up, you can grab a blue book at the KCAI Underground Art Store for just 60 cents each. They’re sold at the counter, making it easy to pick one up whenever you need.

The KCAI Underground orders about 10,000 blue books a year for students to purchase during exam time.

The Tradition Lives On

Though we live in a tech-driven world, the examination blue book remains a tool that bridges the past and present. Here at KCAI, it continues to play a role in fostering the kind of critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving that our students and alumni are known for.

Whether you’re a current student or a graduate, you’ve likely filled a blue book or two in your time here—an experience shared across generations of KCAI artists and thinkers. It’s a small but significant piece of your academic journey, one that reminds us that sometimes, the simplest tools are the most effective.

As you reflect on your own time at KCAI, whether it’s been a few years or a few decades since your last blue book exam, remember that these booklets are part of a long-standing tradition in higher education—a tradition that continues to support creative, independent thought in a world increasingly driven by technology.

So, the next time you find yourself facing a blue book exam, embrace the challenge. It’s a reminder that some things—like the value of a well-formed idea—are timeless.