The Spork…How Old?

Posted on | November 7, 2009 | 5 Comments

So how old do you think the spork is?

In my regularly readings of the geek/tech/gadget scene (of which I have posted the odd ‘look at this story’ in the past on here) I came across the following story on Gizmodo “The Folding Titanium Spork Is the Ultimate Portable Eating Utensil”. When I read the head line I thought well that’s not a news story we have had folding sporks for a while. In fact most companies have their version of the spork and a folding spork (those Chinese are great at reselling the same thing multiple times with a diff brand name on). So I had to have a look to see why this was a current story on Gizmodo.

The TAD Gear Folding Titanium Spork v2.0 looks like one of those cheap stainless steel penknife type cutlery sets you can get from places like Millets. Except in this case it is made from titanium only has a spork and in this model also has a slip joint combo bottle cap lifter and can opener. Which makes it look and sound like a very stripped down swiss army knife.

So what has this got to do with my opening question on how old is the spork? Well in the Gizmodo story that I was talking about above is a link to another Gizmodo article “The Captivating History Of The Spork”. I bet you didn’t think that the idea of the spork goes back as far as 1874 when a patent was filed by Samuel W. Francis. So my rough and ready calculations make the spork about 135 years old!!! That is amazing when you think about it.

When I went to the link on Wikipedia in the article (see bottom of post for link) there is a picture of a spork that I grew up with. I’ve never thought of it as a spork before, I had always known it as a chinese fork (thats what my folks called it, and it was always used when we had a chinese take away).

Above: An early out of date photo of my eating implements collection, with the a folding spork on the far left and a stainless steel spork that I grew up with on the far right.

But thinking about it, they are right it is a spork. A stainless steel spork in fact. So I was using that in the 70’s as a young lad. So my guess for the age of the spork would of been the 70’s if pushed for an answer. So to find out that it is at least 1874 is kind of mind blowing.

That Gizmodo article also links to a new object of desire for my spork collection. Yes you read that correctly. I have a spork collection, don’t we all? Now I do not know how this got past me, else I would of definitely have blogged about it at the time. Oh what is the new object of desire? “Star Trek Spock…I Mean Spork” Yes you read that right. There is a Star Trek branded spork.

I missed the limited edition version of this. But they have bought out a new not limited edition of the Star Trek spork.

Over on ThinkGeek they also on the product page have a Customer Action Shot section (click here to view). I like the Trouble You For A Tribble photo.

I’m sorry I’m not apologising for being a geek, and this does appeal to that geek side so so much. Besides what would you prefer a rebranded spork from which ever gear manufacturer or a rebranded spork with the Star Trek logo on it? Star Trek wins it every time for me.

You can read more about the spork on Wikipedia at the following link Spork.

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