| The toothpick is one of the oldest implements used | | | | toothpick lodged in his kisser. |
| by man (and occasionally monkeys). In fact evidence | | | | By the 17th century toothpicks reached their zenith as |
| exists that shows signs of Neandertthals picking their | | | | luxury items. Made from precious metals set with |
| teeth before history was recorded. Until the invention | | | | gemstones they were artfully stylized and enamelled |
| of the toothbrush the dental tool of choice was a twig | | | | for the stylin' set. The less fortunate made do with |
| or sharpened stick; sometimes a piece of grass was | | | | porcupine quills or twigs. |
| used to floss- so stop wasting money on floss. Just | | | | Today's toothpick came about as the result of the |
| kidding. | | | | industrial revolution. With the invention of the automatic |
| As time moved on the toothpick began to move up in | | | | toothpick making machine by Charles Forster, the little |
| certain circles. Bronze toothpicks (ouch) have been | | | | tool kicked into high gear. The Forster style machines |
| found as burial objects in some prehistoric graves in | | | | are still in use today. One log can produce a million |
| Italy and switzerland. The Romans produced fancy | | | | toothpicks! They roll strip birch logs into thin veneers |
| examples in silver and mastic wood. The Emperor | | | | which are then cut into strips and finally stamped into |
| Nero once entered a banquet hall with a sporty silver | | | | the little objects that we know today. |