What is the greatest invention? Many think of the printing press, the wheel, or the telegraph, but most don't immediately think of sliced ​​bread; yet it is the invention to which all others are compared. Without it, the phrase “the best thing since sliced ​​bread” would not exist. Sliced ​​bread has had a greater effect on the world than most realize. For example, the toaster was invented two years before sliced ​​bread, but after its invention, toaster sales skyrocketed (“Fascinating Facts”). Sliced ​​bread has shaped our view of food and convenience in America. Additionally, the way the bread was sliced ​​differentiated individuals: thinner for women and children and thicker for workers and men. The bread slicer contributed to the American desire for accessible food that continues today. Sliced ​​bread was more than just an invention intended to relieve housewives; it revolutionized the American way of doing things. Bread was one of the first foods made instead of being grown or hunted. Bread dates back to Neolithic times. In the 20th century, Americans consumed more bread than any other food. Bread has been constantly evolving since the Neolithic era, but the way it was served didn't radically change until 1928. Even before the advent of the bread slicing machine, sliced ​​bread was controversial. Slicing bread before it was necessary was banned during World War I (Bobrow-Strain). So housewives were obliged to cut bread at the table as needed so that it would not go stale and go to waste. This prevented bread from being thrown away unnecessarily and new bread, which could have gone to the soldiers, from being bought for the family (“Fascinating Facts”). He is now known as "the father of sandwich bread... ... middle of paper ...... of Otto Rohwedder's bread slicer in 1928." The Great Idea Finder. Np, nd Web. October 7, 2005. “ Origin of a dish: what was so great Sliced ​​bread anyway. "Four Pounds Flour. Np, March 13, 2012. Web. . .Passic, Frank. "The inventor of the bread slicer lived in Albion." . Np, February 15, 2004. Web. . .Peppers, Margot." The biggest thing since... A look at the history of sliced ​​bread and its jeweler inventor as he celebrates his 85th birthday. " MailOnline. Associated Newspapers Ltd., July 8, 2013. Web. . .