Toast actually came before toasters! The concept of toasted bread dates back to ancient times when people would hold bread over an open flame or place it on hot stones to cook and add a slightly crispy texture to it. This method of toasting bread was simple but effective, and it was a practice that continued for centuries.
Toasters, as we know them today, were developed much later. The first electric toaster was invented in 1893 by Crompton & Company, a British manufacturing firm. This early toaster, called the "Eclipse," was a simple device with wires that heated up to toast bread. However, it was not very efficient, and its heating elements often caused fires.
The modern pop-up toaster, which automatically ejected the toast when it was done, was invented by Charles Strite in 1921. Strite's toaster design improved safety and convenience, and it eventually led to the widespread adoption of electric toasters in households worldwide.
So, while people have been enjoying toasted bread for centuries, the invention of the electric toaster made the toasting process much easier and safer, leading to the popularity of toasters in kitchens around the world.