Combination eating utensils
[3] The spork is easily one of the most identifiable and popularly used hybrid utensil in modern times, being used in prisons, schools, restaurants, and many other institutions.
[6] Even earlier versions and artifacts of combining a spoon and fork can be found from the Dutch, with some estimated to be from the 17th to 19th century.
[9] It was made to easily eat ramen by being able to twirl the noodles with the prongs and then ladle the soup with the spoon part, as described by the Museum of Modern Art, which sells the utensil.
[16] It was invented in the 1940s in Australia by William McArthur after he saw people having difficulty balancing all their utensils and their plate.
[18] A different design of combining the three main eating utensils of forks, spoons, and knives was created by Map Project Office, in collaboration with Fortnum and Mason, called the Tritensil.
[1] It was designed after many trials to be used with many different foods and food-related tasks, like eating salad or spreading jam.
[22] The creators hope to replace the three-piece utensil set typically given out by shops and eateries.
The blade is typically the least preserved part of the artifact and would have been attached to the handle by means of an iron tang.
They were popularized by the major fast-food restaurant chain, Panda Express, to assist people who have difficulties using chopsticks, which can be a relatively challenging utensil to use.
[34] The utensil first appeared in a photo in 2016 previewing the restaurant's limited edition General Tso's chicken.
[35] Invented by Jordan Brown, he was inspired by his difficulties using chopsticks when he was at a sushi restaurant, needing to reach to a fork instead when attempting to grasp smaller grains of rice.
[36] He designed it for people who still have not mastered the skill of chopsticks and still need to occasionally use a fork to eat.
[37] Forkchops are another hybrid utensil that combines the functions of chopsticks and forks, however, it additionally adds a knife.
[43] As described by WIRED, it combines chopsticks with a spoon on the other end and could allow for fast consumption of food.
[50] Another earlier, unrelated but similar design was created after World War I, made for amputees who had lost an arm and had difficulties trying to use multiple utensils.
[51] Knorks are still in use to this day, said by many who suffer from physical disabilities to be a very helpful tool for eating a meal.
[54] Some more primitive tools resembling a combined knife and fork have also been found in the Andaman Islands, as documented in the Proceedings of the United States National Museum.
[57] Some companies, such as Polar Krush, have adapted spoon straws to be biodegradable, in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly.
[63][64] A Kickstarter for the utensil was also created, where it states that it could also be used on pancakes, waffles, steaks, and more, although the starter was unsuccessful.
[62] Other products that combine a fork and pizza cutter into one include the Nyfork, that also claims to be able to be used with other foods, like meatloaf.
[65] It was created by Innovative Products, inc, and the utensil allows for users to cut their pizzas into small bits without the hassle of using a knife and fork.
