Splayds are a type of eating utensil that combine the functions of a spoon, fork, and knife. They are designed with a fork-like shape and have a spoon-shaped bowl with sharpish edges. The word “Splayd" is actually a combination of the words "spoon" and "blade." (Just think, it could have been “Splork”.)

Splayds were invented in Australia in the 1940s by William “Bill” McArthur, a Sydney-based industrial designer and inventor. He patented them in 1943, and they were initially marketed as "McArthur's Splayds”.

Bill was inspired to design his hybrid after seeing magazine photographs of a buffet dinner in Rome with magnificently dressed women balancing plates of food on their knees. These horrifying images gave him the idea for an all-in-one plate-to-mouth food transporter that could be operated with one hand.

From 1943 to 1967 Splayds were sold by Bill’s wife Suzanne at Martha Washington’s coffee shop in Sydney, which became a popular spot for visiting US troops during World War II, and after the war Splayds were exported to the US to fill the demand fuelled by the servicemen returning home and spreading the word about this great new piece of flatware.

Splayds steadily gained popularity in Australia becoming a ubiquitous choice for casual dining, barbecues, and picnics. They were often used for serving dishes like salads, pastas, and desserts. Splayds became the definitive Australian wedding gift of the 1960s and 1970s.

But, for whatever reason, the knowledge was lost, interest waned; and, by the late 1980s, it became pretty hard to spot a Splayd out there in the marketplace.

The along came a starring role in the June 1991 REMO Catalogue. We always felt that Splayds made a whole lot of functional sense, and when we started promoting and selling them they became not only extremely popular (boxed sets of six selling in the thousands), but also our most often rated and commented-on product. Even though many CustOMERs seemed to really love them, just as many were dismissive and indeed scornful … and the media relished the chance to question or malign them at every opportunity.

In an 18 June 1991 Sydney Morning Herald article called “Let’s call a Splayd a Splayd”, Ross Muller wrote: “Then along comes Remo Giuffré, the owner of REMO, a Darlinghurst gift shop for the very hip and well-heeled. His employees reeled in horror when he suggested recently that Splayds take their place in the range. They all told him they were daggy.”

It was a fun controversy, but the market had vindicated Remo’s hybrid-loving hunch that the Splayd was indeed a sleeping giant, and that just like current day Crocs, their functionality would ultimately make them out to be a winner.

Where do you stand on Splayds?

Story Idea: Remo Giuffré
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References

wikipedia.org/wiki/Splayd
newspapers.com/article/21204803/smh_18691_p_45
abc.net.au/radionational/archived/rnfirstbite/splayds---our-national-shame
REMO Catalogue | June 1991

Images

1. Boxed Set of Splayds Made by Stokes Pty Limited
2. Antique Set of Splayds
3. Two Splayds
4. REMO Catalogue | June 1991. Photo Credit: Paul Clarke
5. Sydney Morning Herald “Let’s call a Splayd a Splayd” by Ross Muller | 18 June 1991

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2 comments

I’m a super fan of the Splayd , I have been collecting them for most of adult life . I still haunt Op shops an immediately head to where they keep the cutlery . I’ve given all my friends and family splayds . They are a fabulous invention. Great as a substitute for chopsticks ,
I thought they were invented for Ladies at the races so the could eat off their laps .
The difference I notice is the brand inscription on them .It has changed over time .
I was inspired by an interview I heard on Radio National this morning . I wish I’d heard more .
Lee

We were given a set of Splades, brushed stainless steel, as a wedding gift in 1987, likely purchased from a country town jewellers, (…post daggy phase and not from Remo, though definitely recall them instore) by a well meaning aunt.
For a long time our Splades lived in their grey velour box (?) until needed, ie very occasionally. Though I do recall a time when Splades and pasta salads were pretty ubiquitous. (Back when saxophonists didn’t need ‘day jobs’)

Since having kids 20+ years ago they migrated to the day drawer with the rest of the cutlery and their numbers have waxed and waned according to who was currently ‘in house’.
For nearly a year, they practically disappeared when we had an exchange student who often prepared his own snacks in his room.
During recent years, we’re down to a consistent 5 out of the six…one for each in our family. It used to give me the ‘irrits’ that we no longer had the full set. Though buying japanese bowls in sets of five has lessened the sense of inconvenience. And makes me think one might have found a home in Japan somewhere. We’ve since discovered they’re perfect for Okonomiyaki !
Now as the kids are leaving home they once again outnumber the inhabitants. The day will come, I’m sure when they’ve all disappeared; from life, memory and imagination.