How Civilization Was Created By Bread

Summary

The history of bread stretches back over 30,000 years, playing a crucial role in the development of civilizations. From ancient breadmakers in Mesopotamia to Egyptians using bread as currency, bread has evolved across cultures. Innovations like bread slicing in the 20th century and the temporary ban of sliced bread during WWII highlight its societal importance. The resurgence of bread-making during the COVID-19 pandemic reflects its cultural significance today. With countless variations worldwide, bread continues to symbolize human creativity, resilience, and the ties that bind us across history.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bread has been a staple for thousands of years, and its invention is considered crucial for the development of civilization.
• 😀 Evidence shows humans have been grinding grain for at least 32,000 years, though the exact inventor of bread is unknown.
• 😀 The first known bread makers were the Natufians, who made flatbreads around 14,000 years ago using wild plants like wheat and barley.
• 😀 The creation of bread is now believed to have contributed to the development of agriculture, not the other way around.
• 😀 By 8,000 BCE, the Egyptians developed an early form of bread similar to tortillas, and bread was used as currency alongside beer.
• 😀 Leavening, which turns flatbreads into fluffy loaves, was first discovered by the Egyptians around 1,000 BCE, though its exact origins are uncertain.
• 😀 The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century led to bread-making innovations, including the invention of the bread slicer in 1912 by Otto Frederick Roeter.
• 😀 The first sliced bread was sold by the Chillicothe Baking Company in 1928, leading to the popularization of the phrase 'the greatest thing since sliced bread.'
• 😀 During World War II, sliced bread was banned in 1943 to conserve resources, but the ban was quickly overturned after public backlash.
• 😀 The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a resurgence in bread-making as a hobby, with many people turning to sourdough bread-making, driven by social media trends.

Q & A

What is the significance of bread in the history of civilization?

Bread played a central role in the development of civilization by enabling the establishment of agricultural practices and fostering economic stability. Its creation may have even predated the rise of agriculture, suggesting that bread-making could have been a key driver in the development of early societies.

How far back does the history of bread-making go?

Bread-making dates back at least 32,000 years, with evidence of early humans grinding grain. By 14,000 years ago, people were making bread, and over time, different societies developed advanced techniques for leavening and baking.

Who were the Natufians, and what role did they play in early bread-making?

The Natufians were an early society from the Epipaleolithic era, around 14,000 years ago. They made flatbread using wild plant roots, wheat, and barley. Their bread-making practices represent some of the earliest known examples of humans preparing food from grain.

What is the connection between the domestication of wheat and bread-making?

The domestication of wheat, which began around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, played a key role in the development of bread. It was initially thought that agriculture led to bread-making, but newer research suggests that bread-making might have actually preceded the widespread adoption of agriculture.

How did the Egyptians contribute to the evolution of bread?

The Egyptians were among the first to discover fermentation, which allowed them to make leavened bread. This process resulted in lighter, fluffier bread compared to the earlier flatbreads. They also developed the first ovens, which advanced bread-making techniques.

What role did bread play in ancient Egyptian society?

Bread was so important in ancient Egypt that it was used as currency alongside beer. It was a central part of the Egyptian diet, and its production and consumption were deeply integrated into the economy and daily life.

What is a 'trencher,' and how was it used in medieval Europe?

A trencher was a large, stale piece of bread used as an edible plate or bowl in medieval Europe. It served as a functional item during meals, soaking up gravies and sauces, and could be eaten afterward or discarded, reducing the need for traditional dinnerware.

What technological advancement changed bread consumption in the early 20th century?

The invention of the bread-slicing machine by Otto Frederick Rohwedder in 1912 revolutionized bread consumption. The first commercially sold sliced bread was released in 1928, and it quickly became a standard in households, leading to the popular phrase 'the greatest thing since sliced bread.'

Why was sliced bread banned during World War II, and how did the public respond?

In 1943, the U.S. government banned sliced bread to conserve materials like wax paper, metal for slicers, and sugar. The ban faced significant public backlash, with many people finding it inconvenient and upsetting. The ban was reversed after just over a month due to widespread protests.

What are some unique types of bread from around the world?

Around the world, many unique types of bread exist. These include Afghan bolani, a flatbread filled with potatoes or spinach, El Salvadorian pupusas, which are cornbread filled with cheese or pork, and Norwegian Leva, a potato bread. Each type reflects its culture’s history and resources.