The baguette is an Austrian invention! A round loaf bread called the boule was made on a weekly basis in community ovens in France.The word for bakery 'boulangerie' is directly related to the word boule. This bread was a tooth cracker when stale but the people were poor and survived from this rock hard whole grain staple.
Baguettes were born with the invention of the steam oven in Vienna. Rich Parisian city slickers were the only ones who could afford to buy bread on a daily basis. A law in 1920 had been passed which prevented bakers from working before 4 am. 
There wasn't enough time to bake the traditional rounded loaf for breakfast. Elongated 'baguettes' could be baked lickety split. It was simply a faster way to fill bread baskets. The baguette (and baguette vintage postcards) were therfore created due to pesky bureaucracy. French red tape finally served a good purpose.
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Baguette Magique - Crunchy Vintage Postcards
Posted by Marie Reed at 3:08 PM
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5 cool cats commented:
Baguettes are delicious. Also delicious, Vietnamese baguettes, and the sandwiches made from them. Yay.
p.s. that is really interesting about the history!
Is that a baguette holder in the post card? Or, is that a baguette?
Oh, and I never knew the political reasons for the baguette. Merci for that!
You're right Bellette! The baguette almost looks too dark. I hope that this baker isn't stuck taking home burnt bread!
Another amazing vintage photo! These vintage photos evoke such strong feelings within me. I will say it a million times over... I love coming to your blog! :)
So, why is it that bakers could not work before 4am? Is it because boulangeries were in neighborhoods (occupying the basement and ground level)?
Thank you for this wonderful history! I too was not aware of it!!
It is such an education reading your great blog, Marie-Toe! It seems politicians are always trying to get their hands on our bread! "The people cry out for bread... let them eat, uh, bread we can make faster!"
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