These chopstick innovations demonstrate the enduring popularity of this ancient method of food transportation. Genius in their simplicity, chopsticks demonstrate just how little one need's to feed efficiently. Although, many North Americans have yet to get a handle on these streamlined implements, the number who have mastered these somewhat finicky utensils is on the rise, but the love affair with the chopstick goes well beyond a fleeting fancy over Chinese takeout.
Chopsticks have been used to create furniture, sandals and even undergarments. They've had countless additions made to them, done up with bells and whistles to create such chopstick incarnations as sauce dispensing chopsticks and glow-in-the-dark versions.
These chopstick innovations prove that not only is the device still as popular and widespread as ever, it's also capable of adapting and changing. Although, the perfected simplicity of these age-old contraptions is hard to improve upon.
43 Chopstick Innovations
From Asian-Influenced Tablet Tools to Culinary Utensil Hybrids:
Susan Keefe — Oct 17, 2011 — Art & Design
43
Recycled Chopstick Bra
"My Hashi Bra"
42
Asian-Influenced Tablet Tools
The Chopstakes Give Razor-sharp Control for Demanding iPad Apps
41
Clothespin Chopsticks
A Unique Approach to Eating Your Food by Decor Craft
40
Edible Tableware
Rice Design Plates and Bowls You Can Eat
39
Transforming Chopstick Furniture
The Yuya Ushida Sofa Can Expand and Contract
38
90,000 Tons of Chopsticks
Japan Begins Recycling
37
The Chork
AKA The Chopstick Fork
36
Culinary Utensil Hybrids
Spoon Plus Brings an East Meets West Aesthetic
35
Chopstick Sandals
These Joseph Palmer Chop Flops Reinvent Old Eating Utensils
34
DIY Chopstick Bowls
Bryan Parks Reinvents Everyday Objects Into Asian Modern Chic Tableware
33
Batty Food Utensils
Kattobashi Turns Broken Baseball Bats into Collector's Chopsticks
32
Chopsticks With Gold Flakes
Snap For Sparkly Sprinkles
31
Chopstick Glasses
Hip Stix
30
Personified Geisha Pouches
Noo-Del Packaging Literally Embodies an Asian Aesthetic
29
Transforming Eating Utensils
'Chopsticks Plus One' is a Spoon and Chopstick Hybrid
28
Featherlight Metal Utensils
The Titanium Chopsticks Create Optimal Balance When Eating
27
Multifunctional Asian Cutlery
The Vera Wiedermann Chopstick Cutlery Makes Eating Easy
26
Ingenious Asian Sporks
Hashi by Daniel Matarazzo is a Spoon-Like Chopstick Add-On
25
Doodling Dining Utensils
Amnesty International Chop Pencils Encourage Action Against Torture
24
Artsy Condiment Cases
The Sushi Palette by Arthur Xin Lets You Feed Your Inner Artist
23
Warrior Eating Utensils
Samurai Sword Chopsticks Pay Tribute to Real-Life Samurais
22
Magical Eating Utensils
Harry Potter Wand Chopsticks are Fit for a Hogwarts Feast
21
Training Wheel Utensils
Sang-gyeun Ahn's Gori Chopsticks are Easy to Use
20
Collapsible Asian Utensils
Carry On Chopsticks Offer Convenient Portability
19
Upholstered Utensils
Chopstick/Steamer Stool is Comfy and Eco-Friendly
18
Transforming Utensil Sets
Twin One from DesignWright Goes from Utensils to Chopsticks On the Fly
17
Percussion Eating Utensils
The Beat It! Drumstick Chopsticks Will Make Each Meal More Entertaining
16
Westernizing Asian Cutlery
DIY Chopsticks
15
Colored Pencil Utensils
The Rainbow Chopsticks Will Have You Chomping for Gold
14
Super Hygenic Utensils
The Carbon Fiber Chopsticks Focus on Health and Hygiene
13
Toucan Inspired Cutlery
Tukaani Chopsticks
12
Personified Cutlery
Humania Chopsticks Rest Set Makes Chinese Food Funny
11
Hair Tie Tablewares
The OEY Tableware Collection Features Traditional Japanese Papercraft
10
Magnetic Eating Utensils
Stickpecker Chopsticks Snap Apart Like its Wooden Disposable Counterpart
9
Clasping Cutlery Tools
Get a Grip on Food With the SL27 Link
8
Glowing Chopsticks
Chop Sabers for 'Star Wars' Lovers
7
Paper Pulp Eating Utensils
Chung Ran Hee's Re-Paper Chopsticks are Made from Recycled Paper
6
Educational Eating Utensils
The Panda Darake Kit Will Help You Learn How to Use Chopsticks
5
Cheating Chopsticks
Tukaani by Lincoln Kayiwa Helps Get Rid of Sushi Woes
4
Speedy Sushi Utensils
The Bullet Train Chopsticks Will Surely Quicken Your Appetite
3
Sauce Despensing Chopsticks
2
Cheater Chopsticks
Forkchops Lets Westerners Eat Like Asians
1
Chopstick Tree Art
China Environmental Protection Foundation Wants to Cut Down Chopstick Waste
Related Ideas
Flexible Eco Packaging
Billerud FibreForm is a Receptive and Recyclable Material
Sleek Canoe Couches
The Boat Sofa by Bongyoel Yang is Perfect for Flood-Prone Areas
Vintage Car Couches
The 'Spirit of 427' Takes You Back to the 60s
Cutlery Company Branding
The Cookies Kitchen & Bar Image is Forktastically Tasteful
Exotic Tropical Spreads
This Harpers Bazaar Ukraine June 2011 Editorial Captures Summer Fun
Recycled Keyboard Fashion
Neatorama Turns Old Keyboards Into Fab Art
Realistic Digital Paintbrushes
The Sensu Brush is the Ultimate Painting Device for iPad
Professional Chef Packaging
Jamie Oliver Product Branding Turns Gourmet into Everyday
Multi-Function Furnishings
The Kitchen Sofa Provides Style and Functionality
Recycled Metrocard Art
Luis Torres Crafts Clever Creations from Used NYC Metrocards
Touchscreen Phone Tappers
The Finger Stylus Makes it Easier to Use Your iPhone
Interlocking Kitchen Tools
Joseph Joseph's 'Salad Spoon' Goes Hand in Hand
Auto-Inspired Furnishings
Slava'Saakyan Automotive Line Brings the Benz to the Bedroom
11 Real Life Lightsabers
From Glowing Chopsticks to Lightsaber Umbrellas
Gourmet Beef Branding
El Gaucho Meat Packaging Suggests Superior Culinary Quality
Pastel Tableware Photography
The Rebecca Newport Still-Life Photos Breathe Life into Bowls
Shelfed Seating
The MUS Sofa by Francesc Rife Boasts a Built-In Ledge-Like Table
Macabre Cutlery
Pinky Diablo's Skull Spoons Bring Death to the Dinner Table
Gravity-Defying Forks
The Eki Cutlery Set Sits Poised for Suppertime Use
Antique Spoon Branding
Sugarillos Packaging Gives Class to Sweetener Sticks
Murderous Meal Ads
Danio by Danone Campaign Kills Your Hunger with its Food Products
Transforming Sofas
The Gig Couch by Davide Tonizzo Can be Used in Multiple Ways
Side Table Sofas
The Slow Sofa is a Modular Couch With Attached End Tables
Sushi Wedding Cakes
Japanese Couples Cut Tuna, Not Cake
Candy Stripe Packaging
Delectable Red and White Nolitan Hotel Branding by Marque Creative
Compact Lunch Boxes
The Metaphys 'ojue' Easily Slides into Bags and Briefcases
Multi-Purpose Pens
The Griffin Stylus Serves Every Social and Academic Need
Fluffy Cloud Couches
The Corbeille Sofa Features a Clean and Cozy Design
Culinary Utensil Hybrids
Spoon Plus Brings an East Meets West Aesthetic
Sculptural Eating Utensils
The Join Cutlery Set is Inspired by a Japanese Toy
Mason Jar Merchandising
Ole Smoky Tennesee Moonshine Comes in a Screw-Top Glass
Magnetic Tablet Styluses
The iPad 2 Maglus Stays Put on the Screen or Cover When Not in Use
Batty Food Utensils
Kattobashi Turns Broken Baseball Bats into Collector's Chopsticks
Clamping Cutlery
The Magic Spoon by Ivan Erkic Has a Cling-On Design
Barely-There Summer Shoes
The Eco- and Wallet-Friendly Paper-Feet Sandal by Jimmy Tomczac
Featherlight Metal Utensils
The Titanium Chopsticks Create Optimal Balance When Eating
Tablet Paintbrushes
The Nomad Brush for the iPad is Perfect for Artists
15 Superior Styluses
From Techie Writing Utensils to Tablet Drawing Pens
Skeletal Cutlery Sets
Andre Lassen's Skeletal Cutlery Makes Eating Breakfast Badass
Redesigned Bunny Billfolds
Year of the Rabbit Envelopes Adapt Traditional Packaging
Multifunctional Asian Cutlery
The Vera Wiedermann Chopstick Cutlery Makes Eating Easy
Mini Bar Flip-Flops
Havaianas Ace Hotel Partnership Gives Patrons Complementary Sandals
Doodling Dining Utensils
Amnesty International Chop Pencils Encourage Action Against Torture
Lovely Loose Leaf Branding
Lov Organic Tea is a Treat for the Planet and the Palate
Artsy Condiment Cases
The Sushi Palette by Arthur Xin Lets You Feed Your Inner Artist
Connectable LEGO Cutlery
The Snack & Stack Utensil Set Keeps Spoons and Forks Together
Magical Eating Utensils
Harry Potter Wand Chopsticks are Fit for a Hogwarts Feast
Training Wheel Utensils
Sang-gyeun Ahn's Gori Chopsticks are Easy to Use
Tablet Drawing Pens
This oStylus Touchscreen Accessory is for Clumsy Fintertips
Inner Artist Applications
The Crayola ColorStudio HD is an Interactive Coloring Application
Take-Out Gifted Tidings
The SeriesNemo Mi Happy Panettone Packaging Greets Clients
Collapsible Asian Utensils
Carry On Chopsticks Offer Convenient Portability
Transforming Utensil Sets
Twin One from DesignWright Goes from Utensils to Chopsticks On the Fly
Percussion Eating Utensils
The Beat It! Drumstick Chopsticks Will Make Each Meal More Entertaining
Ancient Landmark Seating
The Colosseum Sofa Gives a Roman Flair to Your Home Decor
Colored Pencil Utensils
The Rainbow Chopsticks Will Have You Chomping for Gold
Super Hygenic Utensils
The Carbon Fiber Chopsticks Focus on Health and Hygiene
Samurai-Approved Soups
Kabuto Noodles Packaging Embodies Creative Design Discipline
Supreme Tablet Etchings
Pen Spinning Art on the Fujitsu 'LifeBook T900'
Hair Tie Tablewares
The OEY Tableware Collection Features Traditional Japanese Papercraft
Magnetic Eating Utensils
Stickpecker Chopsticks Snap Apart Like its Wooden Disposable Counterpart
Clasping Cutlery Tools
Get a Grip on Food With the SL27 Link
Paper Pulp Eating Utensils
Chung Ran Hee's Re-Paper Chopsticks are Made from Recycled Paper
Avian Utensils
The Forest Spoon by Nendo is Cute and Decorative
Cutlery Multi-Tools
The Amber Bone Hobo Knife is a Super Convenient Utensil
Cutlery Writing Hybrids
The Dine Ink Pen Utensil Set Provides a Playful Way to Eat at the Desk
Speedy Sushi Utensils
The Bullet Train Chopsticks Will Surely Quicken Your Appetite
Shapely Tableware
The Hexis Table Coasters Makes Sure No Fork Ever Goes Homeless
Two-Timing Spice Shakers
The Space-Saving Y-Grinder Serves Up Salt and Pepper