To former President Bill Clinton, the spork served as the perfect analogy for his administration: \This is the symbol of my administration, a cross between a spoon and a fork. No more false choice between the left utensil and the right utensil. This is a choice in the middle and a choice for the future.""
The spork's synthesis of spoon and fork has blessed school cafeterias across the country, as well as fast-food chains such as sister restaurants Taco Bell and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
According to Cookie Jackson, a supervisor at KFC, 2958 E. Washington Ave., the reason KFC uses the spork is to ""cut down on food costs.""
It is much more economical to buy the combined fork-spoon than separate utensils.
""Forks and a case of knives together is probably $25 where a case of sporks is like $13,"" Jackson said.
The spork was patented Aug. 11, 1970, by the Van Brode Milling Co. of Clinton, Mass. However, the spork was first invented in the '40s by the U.S. Army, according to http://www.AboutDishes.com/. After World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur thought Japan's use of chopsticks was uncivilized, but did not want to ""arm"" them with forks. Therefore, the army invented the spork and enforced its use in the government and schools across Japan.
Despite its somewhat sinister original use, the spork is often used today for purposes other than food consumption, including a slingshot, a comb or an additional projectile in a cafeteria food fight.
""Sporks were used as a weapon in the cafeteria in my middle school'but I don't know why, because they aren't particularly dangerous,"" said UW-Madison senior Regina Gullicksrud.
Though the spork appears to be a helpful, multi-purpose utensil, many complain about its lack of actual usefulness.
""You can't stab things because the prongs are too short, but you can't scoop things either because there are too many holes in the end,"" said UW-Madison junior Anne Lick.
Even the ""Slightly Less than Official Spork Homepage"" (http://www.spork.org) admits that the spork is ""completely inappropriate as an eating utensil.""
Despite the debate surrounding the effectiveness of the spork, its versatility and flair keep it quite popular across the country, especially at KFC.
""People always ask for them, all of the time,"" Jackson said.
