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2400 BCE
Prehistoric forks
We all know that the Chinese use chopsticks to eat, but don't be mistaken, they also invented the forks! The oldest known traces of forks were found in the Qijia ethnic group (2400 BC -1900 BC) but also under the Xia dynasty (2100 BC – 1600 BC). -
400
First forks
Silver and bronze forks used in the Roman Empire. The first forks usually only had two tines. -
700
Royal courts use forks
The first royal courts started to use forks at this time -
900
Forks introduced to Europe
The fork was introduced to Europe in the 10th century by Theophanu Byzantine wife of Emperor Otto the 2nd. -
1400
Popularity of the fork increases
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1500
Italy adopts use of the fork
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1550
Steel and bronze gilt fork
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Fork etiquette
in the 1600 hundereds it was proper for a guest to arrive with his own fork and spoon enclosed in a called a cadena. -
Germany creates the curved fork
The curved fork that is used in most parts of the world today, was developed in Germany in the mid 18th century -
4 tined fork introduced
The standard four-tine design became current in the early 19th century. -
Modern fork
This is the modern table fork -
Spork
The 20th century also saw the emergence of the "spork", a utensil that is half-fork and half-spoon. With this new "fork-spoon", only one piece of cutlery is needed when eating (so long as no knife is required). The back of the spork is shaped like a spoon and can scoop food while the front has shortened tines like a fork, allowing spearing of food, making it convenient and easy to use. It has found popularity in fast food and military settings.
