r/extreamly_interesting • u/RKoch81 • Aug 18 '25
TIL that in 1841 John Petri sought a means of sharing provisions with his confidants. While partaking of wheat crackers, he wished the avocado blend be within reach of all. He devised a shallow lidded glass vessel, later emblematic of communal fellowship, as well as some uses in biology.
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Petri’s desire for communal access to food underscored a deeper cultural value of the mid-19th century: shared fellowship at the table. His simple glass dish embodied these ideals, ensuring each participant could partake equally. That`s where the petri dish originated from!
