Before toasters were invented, toast was typically made using other methods. Here are a few common historical methods of making toast:
Toasting Fork: One of the earliest methods of toasting bread involved using a long-handled fork or a metal rod. People would hold a slice of bread over an open flame or a bed of hot coals to toast it manually. This method is still used today while camping or cooking over an open fire.
Stovetop Toasting: Before electric toasters, people would place slices of bread on a stovetop griddle or in a pan to toast them. They would flip the bread to ensure even toasting on both sides.
Oven Toasting: In older times, people used traditional ovens to make toast. The bread would be placed on a baking sheet or directly on the oven rack and baked until toasted.
Fireplace Toasting: In ancient times, before the widespread use of ovens, people would toast bread on metal plates or stones placed in the fireplace.
It's worth noting that the term "toast" itself has been used for centuries, even before the invention of modern toasters. The word "toast" in the context of bread likely originated from the Latin word "tostum," meaning "to burn" or "to scorch." So, even in historical times, when people toasted bread using various methods, they still referred to it as "toast."