Comments on: Holy multi-purpose dining utensils Batman! http://littleconversations.blogsome.com/2006/06/15/holy-multi-purpose-dining-utensils-batman/ Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:54:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: ts http://littleconversations.blogsome.com/2006/06/15/holy-multi-purpose-dining-utensils-batman/#comment-32 Mon, 19 Jun 2006 10:47:25 +0100 http://littleconversations.blogsome.com/2006/06/15/holy-multi-purpose-dining-utensils-batman/#comment-32 Found this little tidbit of spork history: "the spork was invented not in the '60s, but in the 40's. when the us army occupied japan after the war, gen mcarthur (who wanted truman to enthrone him as emperor of japan) decreed that the use of chopsticks was uncivilized, and the conquered foe should use forks and spoons like the rest of the 'civilized' world. but fearing that the japanese might rise up and retake their country with their forks, he and the us army invented the 'spork,' which was then introduced into the public schools. the army, which had taken over all government enterprises and the schools, enforced the use of the 'spork,' and made the use of chopsticks in the schools a punishable offense. this is a bit of spork history that's absolutely true, but not very funny." Upon further investigation, it seems the spork has been around much longer, sometimes called a "runcible spoon"(mentioned by Edward Lear in his 1871 poem "The Owl and the Pussycat"). The name Spork was trademarked registered by the Van Brode Milling Co., Inc., of Clinton, Massuchests in 1969. You are not alone in your love of the spork: there is quite a cult following of spork enthusiasts out there.... Found this little tidbit of spork history:
“the spork was invented not in the ’60s, but in the 40’s. when the us army occupied japan after the war, gen mcarthur (who wanted truman to enthrone him as emperor of japan) decreed that the use of chopsticks was uncivilized, and the conquered foe should use forks and spoons like the rest of the ‘civilized’ world. but fearing that the japanese might rise up and retake their country with their forks, he and the us army invented the ’spork,’ which was then introduced into the public schools. the army, which had taken over all government enterprises and the schools, enforced the use of the ’spork,’ and made the use of chopsticks in the schools a punishable offense. this is a bit of spork history that’s absolutely true, but not very funny.”

Upon further investigation, it seems the spork has been around much longer, sometimes called a “runcible spoon”(mentioned by Edward Lear in his 1871 poem “The Owl and the Pussycat”). The name Spork was trademarked registered by the Van Brode Milling Co., Inc., of Clinton, Massuchests in 1969.

You are not alone in your love of the spork: there is quite a cult following of spork enthusiasts out there….

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