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Our earliest ancestors discovered they could grind starches from cattails and ferns into a flour-like substance. While this wasn't bread as we know it, it was the first step toward making bread! They would mix this with water and cook it on hot rocks.

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Humans began farming wheat and barley in the Fertile Crescent (modern-day Middle East). This was a huge breakthrough because it meant people could stay in one place and grow their own grains instead of searching for wild ones!

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4,000 BCE: Ancient Egyptian Bread Making

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4,000 BCE: Ancient Egyptian Bread Making

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The Egyptians were the first to discover that when dough was left out, it would rise! They had accidentally discovered yeast. They became master bakers, making over 40 different types of bread. Bread was so important it was used as payment for workers!

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The Romans invented more efficient grain mills powered by water and animals. They also created the first baker's guild and opened public bakeries throughout their empire. White bread became a status symbol for the wealthy.

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During the Middle Ages, bread was a staple food. Most people ate dark bread made from rye or barley, while wealthy people ate fine white bread. Many towns had laws about the price and weight of bread to make sure bakers were fair!

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The classic French baguette was born! Bakers in France developed this long, crusty bread that became a symbol of French culture. Fun fact: the baguette's shape was designed so Napoleon's soldiers could easily carry bread in their pant legs!

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A breakthrough happened when the first commercial yeast was developed. This made bread making much easier and more reliable. Before this, bakers had to use sourdough starters or beer foam to make bread rise.

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Otto Rohwedder invented the first automatic bread slicer. This led to the phrase 'the greatest thing since sliced bread!' Wonder Bread became the first commercially sliced bread brand, changing how people consumed bread forever.

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The first automatic bread machine was invented in Japan by the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. This made it possible for people to easily make fresh bread at home with just the push of a button!

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There's been a huge revival in artisanal bread making! Many people are returning to traditional methods, making sourdough bread at home, and exploring ancient grains. Bread making became especially popular during the global pandemic when everyone was staying at home.