The Toothpick: Technology and Culture

by: Henry Petroski

Published by: Vintage

Reviewed by Muhammed Hassanali

Reading a 400-page book about the toothpick may seem like a daunting task, but Petroski has cultivated a knack for engaging readers in the history and engineering of the most mundane objects. This book recounting the development of the toothpick is no exception.

The narrative suggests that the toothpick is among the oldest of manufactured items. This is based on explaining the grooves on fossilized teeth as early hominids picking their teeth with perhaps small sticks. The ancient Romans and Greeks used metal needle-type picks, Mesopotamians used gold toothpicks, and Alaskans used walrus whiskers. In addition to wood, bones from chicken and fish were used to make toothpicks as were goose quills.

It is surprising to learn that there are around 500 patents of toothpick designs. The modern toothpick industry was pioneered by Charles Forster in Maine during the nineteenth century. He not only mass produced toothpicks, but he also created a market for its use. Today, most of the toothpicks come from China. You also learn how secretive toothpick manufacturers are. The text relates that Japanese visitors were denied entry to a toothpick factory to protect “tricks of the trade.”

While the toothpick has primarily an oral hygiene function, readers learn that it can be adopted for alternative uses as well. Some, like holding together a sandwich or providing “handles” for hors d’oeuvres, have functional purposes. Others, like chewing a toothpick, have social functions.

In addition to toothpicks, you learn about other issues related to toothpicks. These include toothpicks in literature, toothpick etiquette through the ages, global trade (of toothpicks of course), inventions the toothpick inspired (Q-Tips for example), toothpick holders of all sorts (and the National Toothpick Holder Collectors Society), people who build models (of the Eiffel Tower and Titanic for example) using toothpicks, and other toothpick-related factoids.

Petroski writes: “The close study of anything as both an object and an idea is potentially intellectually rewarding and revealing about the technology and culture in which it is embedded,” and this book provides evidence for it.

Armchair Interviews says: Amazing, 400 pages all about toothpicks—and interesting stuff.