The advancement of culinary arts has made a number of incredibly useful kitchen tools and gadgets available to the general public. On the other hand, antique kitchenware has a very endearing and reassuring quality. Some, like the retro meatball maker, may not even be recognizable after undergoing numerous design changes.

Though frequently linked to Italian cooking, it’s thought that Rome is where the first meatballs were created.

Long ago, in addition to the more well-known Sweden, there were also versions in ancient China, Turkey, and Persia.

Some had different proportions of meat and rice or meat and lentils, while others had different ingredients. Meatballs can be a meal on their own or added to pasta dishes, soups, salads, and sandwiches.