@americana.pipedream: The folding ⚔️knife⚔️ dates back to around 600-500 BCE, with early examples found in Austria and Spain. The Romans used them for eating and daily tasks. During the Middle Ages, simple friction folders were common, and by the 1600s, Spain’s Navaja introduced a locking mechanism. In the 18th and 19th centuries, pocket knives like the Barlow became popular, and slip-joint mechanisms improved functionality. The 20th century saw major innovations, including the Swiss Army Knife (1891), Buck’s lockback design, and tactical folders with one-handed opening. Switchblades gained popularity in the 1950s but faced legal restrictions. Modern folding knives use high-tech materials, assisted-opening systems, and advanced locks, making them essential for EDC, military, and outdoor use.