Random History: The Fork

Good afternoon students this is Dr. Cooper. Today we shall discuss a topic near and dear to my heart, the Fork. 

 

It is perhaps one of the most essential eating utensils of the modern era... In order to appreciate the fork and everything it has done for you, we must learn about its intricate and mysterious origins.

The word fork deviates from furca, the Latin word for pitchfork. It is basically a curved metal stick with several points (usually four) at the end, called tines. The fork can tear and hold food better than a spoon, without the barbarianism of a knife, and is much simpler to use than the chopsticks. I don’t understand chopsticks. Just use a fork. Please.  

 No one is completely sure when forks came into existence, but early records show Ancient Egyptians using primitive fork-like objects to cook food with. Similar devices have been found to have been used in Ancient China and Iran. At the time whatever forks there were were used for cooking and stirring food. The modern personal eating fork was invented in the Byzantine Empire (my 4th favorite empire), somewhere around the 4^th century. From then on the fork came out of the cooking pot (or cauldron) and into our hands.

By the 14^th century, usage of the fork had spread to the Middle East and Italy, albeit only among the elite and royal. Forks were introduced to France when Catherine de Medici of Italy married Prince Henry II of France, and brought her prized collection of forks with her. The rest of Europe didn’t adopt the fork until the 18^th century, because they found it to be unmanly. Many people in the Catholic Church even condemned the fork, saying "God in his wisdom has provided man with natural forks – his fingers”. Forks didn’t become popular in the Americas until the time of the American Revolution, possibly to annoy the British, more likely because they got tired of knives. The physical appearance of the fork was revolutionized in Germany in the mid-1700’s, where it was designed with its recognizable curve. In the early 1800’s, four points (tines) became the standard design for forks, as it has remained ever since. 
Around 1874, the world saw

the invention of the Spork: the amazing spoon/fork hybrid. For the record, a bunch of people advised that I do an article on the spork instead of the fork. However I feel that the noble history of the fork is a too important to be ignored. If you want to know more about the spork, just Google it. Seriously.

Today, along with the spoon and butter knife, the fork is one of the most popular eating utensils in the world. Just imagine having to eat cake with chopsticks, or using your fingers to eat salad. It’s not fun.

Fun Fork Facts!

•  In 16^th century Italy, it was customary for arriving guests to bring their own fork in a special carrying case, called a cadena.

• European etiquette dictates that the fork must be held in the left hand, while Americans typically use their right hand. We’re so different!

• When eating formal meals, it is customary to place your fork over the knife in a 5 o’clock position to indicate that you are finished eating, so that the waiter may remove your plate. 

That's all for today's lesson. Coming next week is the first segment of my Retro Kids' Shows, featuring all your favorite mid 90's to early 2000's shows. Suggestions are always welcome. Thanks for viewing...
"Live long and prosper"

Sources: http://leitesculinaria.com/1157/writings-the-uncommon-origins-of-the-common-fork.html
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fork

Pictures: http://www.webstaurantstore.com/regency-flatware-dinner-fork-12-pack/303RE105.html
http://www.photo-dictionary.com/phrase/4625/antique-fork.html
http://www.rd.com/slideshows/11-exotic-origins-of-everyday-things/#slideshow=slide7
 http://kootation.com/knife-and-fork-spoon.html 
http://www.fakecard.com/pokedex/pokemon/164.shtml