The first time I heard about the origin of sandwiches, it was in fourth grade. The teacher told the class the story of the Earl of Sandwich and claimed that it was how we all came to eat sandwiches.
But the story was not exactly true. In fact, we have been eating sandwiches well before the birth of John Montagu.
But, I am getting ahead of myself.
Here are four historical facts about the mighty, hunger-busting sandwich.
1. Earliest Recorded Sandwiches
While the modern sandwich is often attributed to the Earl of Sandwich in the 18th century, the concept of putting meat or other fillings between bread dates back much further.
The ancient Jewish sage Hillel the Elder is said to have started the tradition of eating a mixture of chopped nuts, apples, spices, and wine between two matzahs during Passover, which resembles a sandwich.
This practice dates back over two thousand years.
2. Origin of the Word “Sandwich”
The term “sandwich” itself can be traced back to the 18th century. It is believed to have originated from John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, as mentioned earlier.
The Earl of Sandwich refers to a title in the British peerage.
The story goes that John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was an avid gambler. He was so engrossed in his gambling sessions that he didn’t want to leave the gaming table even for meals.
To solve this predicament, he reportedly instructed his servants to bring him slices of meat between two pieces of bread so he could eat without interrupting his game.
This way of eating became known as “eating a sandwich,” and eventually, the name stuck to the food itself.
However, the first recorded use of the word “sandwich” in its current context appeared in 1762 in the journal of Edward Gibbon, the historian.
3. Sandwich Evolution
Sandwiches have evolved significantly over time, reflecting changes in culinary tastes, available ingredients, and cultural influences.
For example, the open-faced sandwich, popular in Scandinavian countries, features a single slice of bread with toppings like fish, cold cuts, or spreads.
In contrast, the Vietnamese banh mi incorporates French baguette with Vietnamese fillings like pickled vegetables, cilantro, and various meats.
4. Industrial Revolution Impact
The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century significantly impacted sandwich consumption.
The invention of sliced bread in the early 20th century, particularly by Otto Frederick Rohwedder in 1928 with his bread slicing machine, made sandwiches more convenient and accessible for mass consumption.
This invention revolutionized the sandwich-making process, making it faster and more uniform.
