They have been carved out of wood, plastic, bamboo, metal and even bone, and they date back to prehistoric times before modern humans existed. These were a luxury item in the 17th century, made from precious metals and adorned with jewels. On the other extreme, Eskimos used walrus whiskers as their choice. Here in mainland America, we owe entrepreneur Charles Forster our gratitude, as he was the one to first mass-produce these items that we still roll out of metal holders while paying for cheeseburgers and fries.
I am, of course, referring to the toothpick. Yes, the toothpick — a simple device used by so many. Some estimates show that more than 75 billion toothpicks were produced in the United States alone each year, and 95% of those were manufactured in the little town of Strong, Maine. Strong, indeed.
Today, toothpick production in the U.S. has dropped to about 8 billion. Why the decrease? Many reasons are offered, but the one given the most credit is that picking one’s teeth at the table became a social faux pas. This wasn’t always the case, though. Queen Elizabeth was said to have once received six gold toothpicks as a gift and often showed them. A popular portrait of her has a chain around her neck with a gold toothpick hanging from it. Now, that’s royal.
Forster developed the first toothpick-manufacturing machine in 1869, and this led to mass production — but not right away. Americans apparently weren’t interested in buying something that many were simply whittling themselves. Forster changed this attitude by hiring people to pose as diners who were seeking toothpicks. Many restaurant owners soon made sure toothpicks were available for diners who developed the habit of reaching for them as they were leaving.
Today, even those who don’t pick their teeth have found a need for toothpicks. They are commonly used in finger foods and overstuffed deli sandwiches. Bakers test brownies for “doneness” with them. Those who are annoyed with short matchsticks use them as extenders. And many woodworkers use them to plug small holes and even unclog glue bottles.
Toothpicks were readily available in my childhood home, but Mom insisted on buying the cheap, flat ones that would easily break. When I found a round, sturdy one, that was a treat. My brother, though, found the flat ones were better for soaking in cinnamon oil for a tasty — and sometimes burning — treat. Today, I have a round wooden tube in my desk that holds several toothpicks in case I feel the need. They are not flavored, they are round in shape, and they are wooden. My toothpick choices are definitely not made of plastic, bamboo, metal, bone — or walrus whiskers.
Have a great week, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 |
