Tag Archives: kitchen utensil

The Can-Opener? Wherever Did It Come From?

Did you ever wonder how people opened cans before there were can openers? While considering that, were you ever curious about who the bright eyed guy or gal was who thought up the idea of cans? Well, wonder no more. Check out some of these facts below. There’s no treasure hidden beneath them, but you may impress most of your friends and probably none of your relatives with this new information. Here’s the scoop for those who dare to read on. The very first practical can opener (as opposed to the others that came before and were impractical), was developed … Continue reading →

The Kitchen Shears: What’s Their Story?

Oscar Wilde once said of scissors: “I can never cut a straight line. This ought to be, for I never do anything straight.” Did he know what he was talking about? Why are kitchen shears sometimes called scissors and vice versa? How could any tool have the nerve to be so versatile and whoever thought them up anyway? Any ideas? No, well read a bit more. It seems that many people invented the scissors or shears. Some say the very first pair can be traced back to around 260 BC and that they were first described by no one less … Continue reading →

Measuring Cups: A Formidable Past

Whoever was the clever fellow or gal who thought up the idea of a measuring cup anyway? What happened if the user could neither read, nor subtract (much less add) and how did that affect their baking? No one may ever know the answer to the latter question, but the Babylonian civilization was the earliest on record to implement a unit for weight. (There were no diet organizations back then; only weight measures. Ah, modern civilization!) According to archaeological records, the Babylonian mina, which weighs about 23 ounces, is the earliest weight measurement known to man. Many ancient wall carvings … Continue reading →

The Colander: An Important Kitchen Tool

While no one seems to know exactly where the colander originated, man has known the concept of the sieve since ancient times. The need to drain liquids is an important part of food preparation. The tool is described by Mr. Webster as a “ perforated pan, usually bowl-shaped, used for draining liquids.” Who were the first to rinse and drain? Only the pasta gods know for sure, but one thing is certain; no modern kitchen should ever be without one or two or even three of them! There is nothing that strains and rinses like a colander, and it’s probably … Continue reading →