From Neolithic times to today
They are three of the most used items every day, and they are universal products around the world. But have you ever thought about who invented knives, forks and spoons?
Forks are a newer phenomenon, dating back just a few centuries, but people in different countries around the world have been eating meals using spoons since Neolithic times.
No one knows when the first spoon was invented, but archaeologists have dated some of the ornamental and religious spoons back to 1000 BC. Those spoons made from wood, flint, ivory and slate were used by Egyptian Pharaohs. Spoons have evolved over the years and today, spoons are used for liquid or semi-liquid food.
Grapefruit spoons with serrated edges which help with the segmentation of fruits, still fester in kitchen drawers, along with the ice cream spoons as people tend to use a ‘one size fits all’ spoon for all their meals.
As well as eating utensils, knives were used as weapons in prehistoric times. Hosts refused to provide cutlery for their guests in the Middle Ages, so most people carried their own knives tucked into sheaths attached to their belts.
Cutlery has slowly evolved over the years
Even after knives were adopted for use at the table, people continued to use them as weapons. Many believed that the knife continued to pose a threat at the dinner table. Then forks arrived on the scene and people realised they were more useful at picking up food.
Cutlery has evolved into modern day use and now restaurant cutlery is refined and luxurious, and quality implements can certainly add to an enjoyable meal. High quality cutlery can be obtained from stores such as For restaurant cutlery go to http://www.heritagesilverware.com/.
According to https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/7279271/strict-rules-meghan-markle-loo-dinner/, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has to observe the Royal Family’s strict etiquette when it comes to requiring a toilet break during a meal, including what to say and how to place the cutlery.
During its lifetime, the fork has moved on from having only two tines to four, its design starting to resemble our modern day implement. The fork that we use today, with the convenient curved design was introduced in Germany in the 18th century. By the early 20th century, stainless steel came into being.