Who invented the spork?
The spork is one of the most recognizable utensils in the world, merging the bowl of a spoon with the prongs of a fork. From fast food restaurants to camping supplies, this versatile tool has become an everyday item for people around the globe. But who actually invented the spork, and how did it become so popular? The Origins of the Spork The concept of combining utensils isn’t as modern as you might think. Hybrid eating tools date back centuries, though they didn’t always look like the modern spork. Ancient examples include two-in-one utensils from Asia and Europe, which combined a spoon on one end and a fork or chopsticks on the other. These were designed to make eating more convenient and were often carried by travelers or soldiers. The word “spork” itself—blending “spoon” and “fork”—was trademarked in the U.S. as early as 1874 by Samuel W. Francis, an inventor and doctor. His patent describes a spoon with short, curved tines at the tip, resembling today’s spork. Though it never ach...