A splayd is an eating utensil combining the functions of spoon, knife and fork. It was invented by William McArthur in the 1940s in

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

, New South Wales,

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. There are several manufacturers. In addition to an overall spoon shape with four fork tines, it has two hard, flat edges on either side, suitable for cutting through soft food. They often have a geometric rather than rounded bowl, with two longitudinal folds in the metal. The UK licensee for the manufacturing and distribution of splayds during the 1970s was Viners of Sheffield. At that time they were one of the biggest

cutlery Cutlery (also referred to as silverware, flatware, or tableware), includes any hand implement used in preparing, serving, and especially eating food in Western culture. A person who makes or sells cutlery is called a cutler. The city of Sheffie ...

manufacturers in Great Britain. The splayd has medical uses, having been recommended as a solution for feeding difficulties following or during treatment of the arm and being part of the (discontinued) Selectagrip system of utensils with customisable handles for people who have trouble using regular utensils. It was also reportedly a popular wedding gift in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s.

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Splayd Utensils

Splayds cutlery
at the Powerhouse Museum Spoons Forks Table knives Australian inventions Eating utensils {{cooking-tool-stub

See also

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