The Gift Exchange

Picking at the teeth is one of the oldest pursuits of man (and monkey). Historical evidence suggests that Neanderthals were using twigs or sharpened sticks as toothpicks and even a piece of grass as a sort of flossing medium. Hey, they had to dislodge that stringy Wooly Mammoth meat somehow!

As history progressed, the toothpick took on more and more fanciful forms. Bronze toothpicks have been found as burial objects in prehistoric graves in Switzerland and Italy. The decadent Romans produced fancy toothpicks in silver and rare wood. By the 17^th century, the toothpick had its zenith as a luxury item and was often made from precious metal set with gemstones.

Now you may be wondering how the humble wooden toothpick of today came to be despite the evolution of gourmet foods and gourmet gifts that would seemingly demand something a little more stylized and regal. Just like so many other products that we use daily, the modern toothpick came to be as a result of the industrial revolution. A man named Charles Forster invented an automatic toothpick making machine that is still in use today. The Forster-style machines can produce a million toothpicks from one log! With that kind of easy production and cost effectiveness, it becomes a little more apparent why the modest birch toothpick can be found in the mom-and-pop diner to the most exclusive of gourmet restaurants.

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