Did you know that #hardtack, the long lasting flour & water #cracker used by seafarers & soldiers, was made round at #sea & square on land?

During sea voyages, hardtack was stored in barrels (hence: round), while during land campaigns it was stored in wooden boxes, & therefore made square.

#British Royal Navy sailors were issued 50g more hardtack than #US #Navy sailors.

During Queen Victoria's reign, now made with machines, hardtack became a cost efficient hexagonal shape.

#history

@mythologyandhistory Terry Pratchett's dwarf bread springs to mind!
@mythologyandhistory "Wormcastles" is my favourite name for Hardtack

@Printdevil

I like "Panzerwaffeln" (tank wavers) myself 😋

@mythologyandhistory the hexagonal ones look quite like modern water-biscuits and mistakes could be easily made at the expense of teeth.

@Printdevil

Water biscuits are actually related to hardtack (a later version), which is why they're relatively cheap!

@mythologyandhistory not a mistake to make while preparing canapés