THE INVENTION OF SPOON

Gold and silver spoons

To the curious mind they say liveth knowledge (okay nobody said that). Have you stopped to imagine how something came into existence. At Least, we can trace the invention of telephones, cars and other traceable invention. What of those things that is as old and primitive as man’s  existence. One of those inventions is one of our favourite kitchen utensils (at least one of my mine), the spoon. Ride along with me.

The exact date of the first use of spoon is not known yet,Though pre-modern society were foretold to have used shells and woods to scoop food, the archaeological findings  have placed the presence of ornamental and religious spoons around 1000 BC. The spoons then were made of ivory, slates, woods and flint and they were used by the Egyptian priests and Pharaohs. On the body of the spoons were important religious events carved in them.  

Hand carved spoons.

Coming down to the Greek and Roman Empire, spoons made with silver and bronze has been used by the wealthy of the Greeks and they are still used till date. In the medieval epoch, other materials like horns, brass and pewter were often used to spoon which were then used to transport food  for both people and animals.

The first documented evidence of spoons in England was in 1259 when they were counted as  itinerary items from King Edward I’s wardrobe. By this time, spoons were not used to eat alone but to show wealth and power as the coronation of every british king were followed by the anointing of the king with a ceremonial spoon.

In Nigeria, there is no documented evidence of the first use of spoon but in ancient times, spoon has been carved out calabash, grond and wood, but these were initially used as cooking spoons as swallow food were mostly eaten then. These spoon can still be seen in traditional kitchens today.

Spoons has evolved over time. The durability, size, functions, styles, and make-up varies according to brands and uses, but the spoon is an invention that stood the test of time and it's better every day.