About

The Swiss Army Knife is a multi-purpose tool invented by Switzerland for use in WWII. The knife has become iconic in being more than just a knife. This characteristic of the Swiss Army Knife is often parodied and exaggerated online.

Origin

During the late 1880s, the Swiss Army decided to purchase a new folding pocket knife for their soldiers. This knife was to be suitable for use by the army in opening canned food and disassembling the Swiss service rifle. In January 1891, the knife received the official designation Modell 1890^[1].

Spread

According to Carl Elsener, head of Victorinox in 2009, US soldiers bought Swiss Army knives in huge numbers at PX stores on military bases following the conclusion of the Second World War. As German: Schweizer Offiziersmesser was too difficult for them to say, they called it the "Swiss Army knife", the name by which the knife is now most commonly known worldwide^[1]. The design of the knife and its versatility have both led to worldwide recognition.

Notable Examples

Search Interest

External References

^[1] Wikipedia – Swiss Army Knife