Goal 1 Introduction

For every ELI there must be some aspect of research.  In part my research into the chemistry behind pie crusts dips into that research requirement... but it wasn't quite enough.  Knowing this I decided to look into the history of pies.  At the start it just felt like something I had to do...  As soon as I started reading however that changed dramatically.  My information on this topic came out of the book Pie: A Global History by Janet Clarkson.  Her writing was amusing and I soon found myself engaged in the topic... But even more fascinating that her writing style (and since my past two ELIs have been about editing I couldn't help but notice her writing style) was the actual information I was learning.  Pies have the COOLEST HISTORY EVER!!!  For example, did you know that America is pretty much the only place in the world where "pie" automatically refers to a desert as opposed to a meat pie that would be a main course.  Or, did you know that ages ago EVERYTHING baked in an oven was a pie... I didn't think so.  The history of pies is intriguing, somewhat strange, but most of all it's REALLY amusing.  At least... I found it amusing.  I hope that you do as well.  For the sake of my sanity as well as your own I've decided to split up my knowledge on this topic into several sections and to dedicate one post to each section: General History, What's So Special About Pies, Design, Fillings, and Strange Pies.  (Just a tip, if this bit sounds boring to you then go ahead and skip most of it, but the last section on Strange Pies is well worth reading.)  So welcome to the world of age old pies... I hope you enjoy your stay!