Think back to the time when people
rubbed dried sticks together to make a spark; or later when they were
forced to use flint and matchlock. It meant no end of work to
capture that first light, and even then it frequently went out. How
housewives struggled to keep the embers on the hearth always glowing
that a new fire might be built without so much trouble; and how men
carried from place to place coals enough to kindle other fires! When
we strike a match and so quickly get our response of flame we do not
half appreciate how fortunate we are."
"I never thought what it would mean to have no matches," reflected
Theo.
"Man's discovery of the use of fire was one of the first steps in his
civilization," Dr. Swift put in. "It meant that henceforth instead of
eating raw food as did the other animals he could have it cooked. For
man, you must remember, is the only animal who cooks his food."
"And hand in hand with the cooking came the need of dishes in which to
prepare it," rejoined Mr. Croyden. "Meats could, of course, be broiled
over the fire on a forked stick; but no stews or soups could be had
until man invented some utensil which would contain liquid and at the
same time withstand the heat of the blaze.
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