One of the most unappreciated mundane objects in our daily lives is the average fork. Without forks, how would we eat noodles in a civilized way? And who else will accompany the spoon during lunch? Knives are the third-wheelers, so they don’t count. A survey showed that 47% of Americans said they had never used chopsticks or don’t know how to use them and it’s estimated that only 33% of the world actually uses chopsticks for dining. Most of the percentage is Asian cultures. Forks, on the other hand, are practically the universal tradition. Even as someone who knows how to use chopsticks, I’ve chosen to take the honorable action of spreading awareness of forks so you feel a little luckier the next time you pick one up.

 

                                                 “One cannot think well, love well, 

                                                                        sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

                                                                                          -Virginia Woolf

 

   It’s hard to pinpoint the exact date forks were first invented. Archeologists have discovered forks made of bone in China that date way back to 2400-1900 BC. However, sharp tools, in general, have been around forever. In ancient times, as people hunted for food, they carved spears or knives by striking a rock against some material. Eventually, someone asked themselves if they could make a knife with multiple points, so the fork was born. 

 

   Forks were not always the simple meal utensils we see them as nowadays. During the 7th to 9th century, they were viewed as evil or sacrilegious due to superstition and typically only be two-pronged. As a result, people relied on knives or skewers similar to how we use forks normally. Another alternative was eating with their hands, washing their hands was often part of the meal because of this. 

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   It wasn’t until the 16th century that forks began gaining popularity. It started becoming acceptable in England and parts of Europe. In addition, the design of forks evolved from two prongs to four around this time, making it more practical for eating different foods. Finally, during the 19th century and the rise of the Industrial Revolution, forks became a social norm. Production of products was enabled and forks were globally mass-produced. In modern times, forks are a daily essential whenever we sit down to eat.             

                              

                                                                         

   Many other cutlery and table manners also have their histories that have cemented them into how we eat formally. Whether it’s a fancy restaurant, a family 

dinner, etc. Stores like Walmart most likely have an entire aisle dedicated to these household items so we can enjoy sharing meals with our loved ones. Ultimately, forks and cutlery that exist for our convenience should be appreciated because of the vigorous journey it took for them to be normalized.