FOOD
1,000,000 BCE to 2013 · One Million Years of Sustenance
Every meal is a civilisation's autobiography. From the first fire to the first lab-grown burger — food is how we became human.
Control of Fire
The pivotal moment where hominids began cooking food, increasing nutrient absorption and brain development.
The Wheat Revolution
The domestication of grain in the Fertile Crescent, marking the transition from forager to farmer.
Fermentation & Beer
First evidence of brewed beverages in China and Mesopotamia; a reliable way to store calories and purify liquid.
Salt Harvesting
Early civilizations begin systematic salt collection, enabling long-distance food preservation and trade.
The Silk Road Spices
The formal establishment of trade routes bringing black pepper, cinnamon, and cloves from East to West.
The Columbian Exchange
Tomatoes, potatoes, and chocolate arrive in Europe; wheat and cattle arrive in the Americas.
The First Restaurant
A. Boulanger opens an establishment in Paris serving 'restoratives' (soups), establishing the modern dining model.
The Invention of Canning
Nicolas Appert develops heat-sealing in glass; Peter Durand later patents the tin can for military logistics.
The Ice Trade
Industrial harvesting of lake ice enables the first global fresh-food supply chains prior to refrigeration.
Haber-Bosch Process
Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer enables the 'Green Revolution' and a massive surge in global food production.
The TV Dinner
Swanson popularizes pre-packaged frozen meals, reflecting the shift toward convenience and nuclear-family dining.
The Flavr Savr Tomato
The first genetically modified food reaches commercial markets.
The Cultured Burger
Mark Post presents the first lab-grown beef patty in London, signaling a shift in protein production.