Let's Talk Antiques ; Animal Horn Served As Plastic of Its Day

Summary

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What would we do if we didn't have plastics? Our clever ancestors never knew what they were missing without the lightweight, strong and inexpensive material we rely on every day. But they did find some alternatives.

Wood was a natural choice for making quick and inexpensive utilitarian items such as spoons, bowls and plates, but wood tends to age quickly. Water and wood are not friends, so the utensils would crack and splinter in time. Metal was another alternative. A blacksmith made tools for use in the kitchen. Hand-forged cooking tools, such as spatulas, long forks and stirring spoons, were perfect for cooking over an open fire.

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Let's Talk Antiques ; Animal Horn Served As Plastic of Its Day

But metal is heavy and tends to rust if not properly tended. Trading or buying items from the blacksmith was expensive, too.

Th...

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