The History and Development of Sliced Bread

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What is the greatest invention? Many think of the printing press, the wheel, or the telegraph, but most do not immediately consider sliced bread; yet, it is the invention to which all others are compared. Without it, the phrase “the best thing since sliced bread” would not exist. Sliced bread had a greater effect on the world than most realize. For example, the toaster was invented two years before sliced bread, but after the invention, the sales of the toaster soared (“Fascinating Facts”). Sliced bread shaped our perspective of food and convenience in America. Additionally, the way in which bread was sliced differentiated individuals: thinner for women and children and thicker for workers and men. The bread slicer contributed to the American desire for accessible food that continues to this day. Sliced bread was more than simply an invention to relieve housewives; it revolutionized the American way. Bread was one of the first foods that was made instead of grown or hunted. Bread dates all the way back to the Neolithic era. By the twentieth century, Americans consumed bread in greater quantities than any other food. Bread has constantly evolved since the Neolithic age, but the manner in which it was served did not change drastically until 1928. Even before the bread-slicing machine, sliced bread was controversial. The act of slicing bread before it was necessary was banned during World War One (Bobrow-Strain). Thus, housewives were forced to cut bread at the table as needed so it would not go stale and be wasted. This prevented the bread from having to be thrown out unnecessarily and new bread, which could have gone to the soldiers, to be bought for the family (“Fascinating Facts”). Now he is known as “The Father of Sliced Bread... ... middle of paper ... ... of the Bread Slicer by Otto Rohwedder in 1928." The Great Idea Finder. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2005. . "Origin of a Dish: What Was So Great About Sliced Bread Anyway." Four Pounds Flour. N.p., 13 Mar. 2012. Web. . . Passic, Frank. "Bread Slicer Inventor Lived in Albion." . N.p., 15 Feb. 2004. Web. . . Peppers, Margot. "The Greatest Thing Since...A Look at the History of Sliced Bread and its Jeweler Inventor as it Celebrates 85th Anniversary." MailOnline. Associated Newspapers Ltd., 8 July 2013. Web. . .

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