Who Invented the Spoon? [When, Where & How]

Ever wonder about who invented the spoon or for that matter how? On an average day, we can be found using this handy utensil 15 times, but not many of us know how this useful kitchen tool got into your home.

The spoon was invented in Ancient Egypt around 1000 BC. It was used for religious rituals to feed the dead. The Egyptians believed that there was a connection between the living and the dead, so they thought that by feeding their loved ones, they would be able to keep their souls alive forever. 

This article will be chock-full of information on the invention of spoons and will serve as an insight for curious-like people. Here on Nevada Inventors, I have also covered some lesser-known facts about them that will stun you.

Who Invented The Spoon and Why?

who invented metal and wooden spoons

Did you ever wonder who invented the spoon? If you did, the search for an answer will take you back to Egypt.

The first evidence of the spoon was seen in Ancient Egypt. It was found in a tomb dated to 1000 BC, and it is believed to have been used as part of a ritual to feed the dead.

They were made out of wood and were shaped like a scoop.

The Egyptians used them in this way because they believed that when you ate with your mouth closed, you wouldn’t be able to taste your food as well.

After this discovery, spoons were used throughout Europe and Asia, but they weren’t expected until 500 AD when metal was first used to make them.

Who Invented the Spoon and Fork?

The spoon was invented earlier than the fork. Since then it has evolved as a versatile utensil that we use for eating, stirring, serving, and even measuring.

The spoon is one of the oldest cooking utensils. It was used in ancient Egypt and China as early as 1000 BC.

The fork was invented later than the spoon and is believed to have been first used in Ancient Greece around 600 BC.

It was made for eating meat in a way considered less barbaric than using your fingers – although there is evidence that forks were used before this date.

Types of Spoons and their invention

Spoons are the unsung heroes of the kitchen.

They’re the ones that make sure your ice cream never ends up on your shirt, and they’re the ones that handle all of your most important tasks.

Well, let’s take a look at the most famous types:

Grapefruit

The grapefruit spoon was invented in 1934 when Mappin & Webb produced their famous silver set.

The company was founded by John Mappin and George Webb, who were partners in a London silversmith’s business.

In 1934 they designed and made a range of silverware which included the grapefruit spoon.

This design became popular and has remained so ever since.

The rules of etiquette state that only one person should use a grapefruit spoon at any one time.

If anyone else wants to use it they should ask before doing so, otherwise, they may find themselves with a sore head!

Mcflurry

The Mcflurry spoon was invented by McDonald’s supplier, Flurry International, in 1995.

The McFlurry spoon is shorter than the regular spoon used for eating ice cream cones.

It is made to fit into the McFlurry container so that it can scoop out the soft serve easily and efficiently.

The invention of the McFlurry spoon has allowed McDonald’s to sell more soft-serve ice cream because customers can get their favorite treats faster than ever before.

This has led to higher sales at McDonald’s restaurants all over the world.

Wooden

A wooden spoon was invented in Ancient Egypt. It was a simple piece of wood that was used to stir food in pots and pans.

The first wooden spoons were made out of firewood, but then they started to be carved out of other materials such as ivory or bone.

A wooden spoon has many uses: it can be used for cooking, serving, and even decoration.

Modern spoons are usually made from high-density polyethylene or polypropylene plastic.

A wooden spoon is one of the most common utensils found in any kitchen, home, or restaurant.

Metal

The spoon has been in use for thousands of years, and it’s one of the most important tools in our kitchens.

Metal spoons were invented in the 1st century by Romans. They forged spoons out of silver and they were reserved only for the rich.

Metal spoons were used as a tool to eat soup or drink wine.

In the Middle Ages, metal spoons became more common, but they weren’t widely used until the 17th century.

In the 18th century, silver was replaced by other materials like copper and brass.

Metal spoons became cheaper and more accessible to everyone!

The Invention of Soup Spoon

history of spoons

The soup spoon was invented in the late 1950s by the chef of SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen.

When he was working at the hotel, he noticed that there was a trend for increasing portion sizes and bigger dishes.

The chefs were struggling to find a way to serve soup without spilling it all over the place.

He then came up with this brilliant idea: why not make a wider spoon than normal, so that it can hold more soup?

That way, you can serve your customers a large scoop of their favorite dish without them having to worry about spillage or messiness.

Slotted

The slotted spoon was invented by Henry Dreyfuss in 1934.

A slotted spoon is a kitchen utensil with a handle and a bowl that is smaller than the handle.

The bowl has slots cut into it, which allow liquid to drain from the food being cooked.

The slotted spoon is a simple kitchen tool that can be made from almost any material, including wood, plastic, or stainless steel.

It can also be purchased as an inexpensive utensil at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.

Some come with a plastic or wooden handle, while others have metal handles with holes in them for hanging on a hook or pegboard.

Spaghetti

The spaghetti spoon is a spoon-shaped kitchen utensil used for eating spaghetti or similar foods without getting your hands messy.

It was invented in 1945 by Donald Goerke, an American businessman who founded the Goerke Manufacturing Company which manufactured household items including silverware and kitchen utensils.

The first spoons were made from a silver plated wire strung together into a looped shape with holes for gripping it with one hand while holding onto the bowl of spaghetti with another hand.

When Was the Spoon Invented?

The earliest spoons were made from wood, animal bones, or ivory; copper and silver spoons were the preserve of the rich in Ancient Rome.

In ancient times, spoons were used for eating food directly from a bowl or plate, but over time they became more specialized, with specific designs being created for particular types of food.

Today, there are many different shapes of spoons available for cooking and serving different foods.

But when was the spoon invented? The spoon was invented around 1000 BC in Ancient Egypt.

The first spoons were made of wood and had a handle that curved down into a bowl shape. 

Later, gold was also used as a material for spoons but was soon replaced by silver because it tarnished more easily than other metals.

Why Was the Spoon Invented?

The spoon is one of the most basic utensils that we use every day. It’s a simple piece of cutlery that has been around for centuries.

Yet its function and design have remained unchanged for millennia. But why was the spoon invented? 

Spoons were used primarily for ritualistic purposes. They were used to drinking wine during meals, but they weren’t always made out of metal.

Before metal was discovered, people would use shells of various kinds or wood as spoons instead.

It wasn’t until around 500 BC that people started making spoons out of bronze and then later on silver too.

History of Spoons

The history of spoons is an interesting one. They were the first utensil invented by humans, and have been around for thousands of years.

Here are some basic facts about it.

  • Ancient Egypt—According to historians, the first spoon was made in Ancient Egypt around 4000 years ago. The Egyptians used spoons made out of wood for religious purposes.
  • Roman Empire—The Romans introduced the spoon to Europe, where it became popular with all classes of society. In Europe, silver spoons were often given as wedding presents and were considered status symbols.
  • Medieval Age—In Medieval Europe, spoons were made out of brass. During this period, most people ate with their hands or cut their food with a knife and ate it directly from the plate.
  • Victorian Era—In the Victorian Era, spoon design was improved. The Victorians used many different types of utensils for eating, including spoons, forks, and knives. They also used them as status symbols to show off their wealth and power in society.
  • Modern Age—Today countless types of spoons are used all over the world for different purposes such as serving or eating soup or cereal or stirring tea or coffee while drinking it.

FAQ’s

Check this section to find answers to some of the most common questions about who invented the spoon.

How did spoon get its name?

In the Greek and Latin languages, the word for “spoon” comes from the word for “shell”, which is what spoons were made from in ancient times.

When was the word spoon invented?

The word spoon was invented in 1300 in old England. It is one of the most widely used words in English today and is used to refer to a utensil for eating with.

What is the end of a spoon called?

The end of a spoon is called a handle. It is the part of the spoon you hold onto when using it.

Is a wooden spoon safe?

Yes, wooden spoons are safe to use and long-lasting. Wooden spoons are great for mixing and stirring. They can be used safely in your kitchen without worrying about any harmful chemicals or materials leaching into your food.

What is the function of a spoon in history?

In ancient times, it was primarily used for religious purposes, especially in Egypt, China, and India. In more recent times, the spoon has evolved into a tool for food consumption.

Conclusion

In summary, the spoon is one of the most important inventions of all time: no kitchen would be complete without them. 

Even though I can’t tell precisely who invented the spoon, it’s hard to imagine the modern world without it.

I hope you liked the article. If you have something to add to this topic, go to the Comments section and tell me what you think about it. 

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