Gizmodo: utensils

The Folding Titanium Spork Is the Ultimate Portable Eating Utensil

Sean Fallon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST

As the resident expert on the spork, I wholeheartedly endorse this super-rugged titanium folding combination bottle opener and spork design. [Tad Gear via The Awesomer]

The Captivating History Of The Spork

Sean Fallon — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:00:00 EDT

Whether you call it a "spork" or a "foon," we must all ask ourselves where we would be without the genius that brought fork and spoon together as one.

Actually, we owe a debt to several industrious culinary proto-spork pioneers: Samuel W. Francis filed a patent in 1874 for a combination fork, and knife and spoon. Harry L. McCoy invented a cutting spoon in 1908 followed by Frank Emmenegger's tined edge spoon in 1912. However, the first person to actually file a trademark for the term "Spork" appears to be a man named Hyde W. Ballard (although there is no official record of this). The term eventually passed down to The Van Brode Milling Company in 1970, but they stupidly gave it up to the UK's, Plastico Limited in 1975.

There are many imitators, like Lifeventure's laughable "Forkspoon"—but in the end there can be only one true Spork design. And, after over 100 years, we finally experienced its ultimate evolution:

Our lives will never be the same. [Wikipedia T-Shirt via NerdyShirts]

Chopsticks Roll Into Rings and Straws and...Well, That's Actually It

Mark Wilson — Tue, 26 May 2009 15:20:00 EDT

I've never looked at a pair of chopsticks and thought to myself, "...if I could only use these as napkin holder rings." Then again, I am not a designer.

Designer Jacky Wu Tung Chi, on the other hand, had such a vision. That vision fleshed itself out in some sort of 3D imaging program to the picture you can apprecaite today—rings that fold out into chopsticks that double as straws. They're cleverly called Roll n' Roll.

Not since the spork has Man been graced with such a inspirational food consumption tool. Indeed, the world may never be the same after today. [Tuvie via Core77]

Star Trek Spock...I Mean Spork

Sean Fallon — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EDT

Finally, a Star Trek-themed utensil that will allow me to eat both ice cream and pasta at the same time. Thank you ThinkGeek for bringing this wonderful product into the world.

If you want one for yourself, time is of the essence. The titanium Star Trek spork is a limited edition of 1701 (fittingly). Available now for $23. [ThinkGeek via CraziestGadgets]

Souper! Action Figure Spoons Make Being All Growed Up Regrettable

Adrian Covert — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:20:00 EST

I might be a little old for these Souper! action-figure spoons now, but if they were around when I was 15, I would have bought 10 of 'em.

Produced by a company called FRED, Souper's limbs are fully posable, so you can eat your Captain Crunch (or Lobster Bisque) with serious superhero style. Perpetual Kid will sell the spoons next month for $10 (on second thought, I still might buy one. But only one). [FRED via 7 Gadgets and Perpetual Kid]

Calamente Fork Good For Twirling Spaghetti, Unspeakable Torture

John Herrman — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 08:01:52 EDT

In the pursuit of a great idea, inventors can sometimes lose sight of the big picture. I don't doubt that the Calamente Noodle fork is fantastic at spinning up a nice, big fork full of pasta, but I also don't doubt that before the end of a meal with this medieval war museum display piece I would have at least three gruesome lip piercings that I hadn't really planned for. I'll stick with a fork and spoon for now. Or my hands. Or, honestly, anything but this. [Trends in Japan via BBG]

Grill Hot Dogs the Gas Station Way

Mark Wilson — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:20:00 EDT

Admit it. At least once, during a long road trip, you've pulled over at a gas station, filled the tank, grabbed a $5 bottle of Desani and, just as you were leaving, inhaled a particularly saltilicious scent. Scanning through the aisle, you see its source. Hot dogs. Preservatives with a side of meat. And they are spinning on their rollers with all the gloss of a sports car unveiling. Just for a moment, you think of what could be should you be willing to sacrifice intestinal comfort for the next week. Recreate the magic at home with this $40 Automatic Hot Dog Grill Roller. And don't even think about those taquitos, either. [AJ Prindle via bookofjoe]

Weenie Roaster

Charlie White — Fri, 19 May 2006 12:38:29 EDT

After posting a picture like this, what else can we say? This hot dog roaster has an oak handle and is available in a variety of life-like colors. It can be conveniently hung by its rope strap, too. Get this ballsy gag gift on eBay for $14.99.

Novelty Hot Dog Roaster [eBay, via Strange New Products]

New and Improved Spork?

Travis Hudson — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 14:42:44 EDT

If my memory serves me correctly, the spork came about as means to improve our lives. Combining the previously separate spoon and fork saved space and money by requiring less materials to create a utensil with a dual purpose. Well, they've upgraded the spork, if you can believe it.

Mater-Bi, a biodegradable starched plastic is being used for creation. Reinventing the spork may seem like beating a dead horse, but its helping the environment and only seems to be hurting those filthy no-good conservative anti-sporkernites.

Moscardino Spork [Treehugger]

Who Likes a Babyplane? Yes you do!

johnb — Mon, 25 Jul 2005 18:24:23 EDT

No, it's not a mini Cessna for little Polly to fly side-by-side with you but a set of wings that attaches to a spoon. While it does nothing for your children's budding imagination, the ham-fisted obviousness of the image allows parents to think about more important things—mortgages, work, a sense of crushing defeat—instead of having to think up a new vehicle each time they try to feed the baby peas and carrots. With the Babyplane, it will always be a plane.

Babyplane [OhGizmo]