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The Romans invented the Swiss Army Knife?

posted by Jason Kottke   Nov 11, 2010

Fashioned sometime in the third century A.D., this Roman multi-tool was made for eating.

Roman Multitool

Like the common Swiss tool, the Roman version has a lot of foldaway implements stowed inside: a knife, spike, pick, fork and a spatula. Unlike the modern-day equivalent, the Roman Army Knife has a useful spoon on the end, making it likely that this iron and silver artifact, found in somewhere in the Mediterranean countries, was meant for eating with.