Splayd eating utensils
Object No. 91/1167
Released in 1962, when buffet lunches and barbecues were becoming popular in Australia, Splayds caught on quickly and were a favourite wedding gift in the 1970s. They were easy to use, informal and more socially acceptable than eating with the hands. They also saved on washing up. Splayds are often considered as an icon of Australian product design. The initial design by William McArthur in the late 1940s was sold to Stokes Pty Ltd in 1960. The company then redesigned the product for mass production. By 1991 Stokes had sold 4.75 million Splayds in 52 countries.
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Summary
Object Statement
Splayd eating utensils (6), in box, stainless steel, William McArthur/ Stokes (Australasia) Limited, Japan, 1962
Physical Description
Splayd eating utensils (6), in box, stainless steel, William McArthur/ Stokes (Australasia) Limited, Japan, 1962
PRODUCTION
Notes
A magazine photo that showed women at a party awkwardly balancing cutlery and plates of food on their laps inspired William McArthur to invent the Splayd, a single-handed fork, spoon and cutting blade. From 1943 to 1967 his wife Suzanne used and sold them in her Martha Washington Café in Sydney. In 1960 she sold the design to Australian tableware manufacturer Stokes Pty Ltd. Stokes put the Splayd through a complete cycle of redesign for mass-production.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Stokes (Australasia) Limited, 1991
Acquisition Date
30 September 1991
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