Who invented them? Why were they invented? Are they only good for rolling out bread and cookie dough? I will answer these and other… very interesting things about our need for rollers!

First of all, not to confuse the rolling pin with the bowling pin (or any other rolling pin), the rolling pin is a cylindrical-shaped utensil with a handle on each side that is used in the kitchen mainly to flatten and shape dough.

According to historical records, many ancient civilizations used round pieces of wood (probably branches without bark) to flatten, crush, or grind their different types of food. The old saying is true: “There is nothing new under the sun.” They also used hardened clay and glass bottles. Obviously, the glass bottles came later. Regardless of the raw material used, it would have been an ancient form of pin compared to what we have now.

The modern wooden rolling pin is very different from previous styles. It now not only has handles, but due to JW Reed’s invention in the late 1800’s, the handles now rotate independently of the actual cylinder. Previously (and I remember this, it must have been my great grandmother’s pin!) the handles were just one part of the cylinder and you couldn’t hold the handles and wind the pin. Being a unit, if you held the handles too tightly the pin would just scrape the top of the dough, accomplishing… well, not much! I seem to remember a big pile of dough at the end of my board! JW Reed must have experienced similar problems which led him to create and patent a rod that would allow the cylinder to rotate independently of the handles.

I promised you little known facts. Here’s one: In the United States alone, between 600,000 and 750,000 rollers are made each year! Where in the world are all these pins used? I have found that having just one in my kitchen is enough!

Pins are no longer just made of wood. Glass pins are popular in Italy, in fact, they use chilled wine bottles! The French prefer marble pins on marble boards. Other countries make their way, filling the center with cold water. This would be similar to the Italians and the bottle of wine. Here in the United States, we have used mostly wood. Going back to the days of JW Reed, pine would have been plentiful and is a soft wood, easy to cut or carve. Today the most popular are Ash and Maple. Specifically, Rock Maple, as it is a very hard wood (as you can tell from the name alone!). Ash and Rock Maple are used primarily in professional cooking schools, bakeries, and high-end retail stores.

Are there other uses for rolling pins besides baking and comics depicting angry housewives chasing their kids and husbands around the house? I found a couple. Thinking outside the box, they are great for kids while doing crafts. They can bring relief to sore muscles and knots. Those with a hollow center can be filled with ice and water for bruises, or hot water to loosen cramped muscles. You can also lie down and use the pin to roll your feet, thus giving them a much-needed massage after being on your feet all day and baking in the kitchen!