Figure 1.--The problem ordinary people faced with picicking is mobility. Here is caninet card portrait of a rural family is having an outdoor dinner--but obvously very close to the home--notice the clothes line. Notice howw dressed up everyone is. The portrait is undated, but woukd have been taken in the 1890s--just bfore Henry Fiod provide the avrage family unprecedented mobility with his Model-T.

The concept of a picnic is a very modern concept. We do not see it anywhere in the ancient or medieval era. Nor do we see it even in the early modern era. The reason for this almost certainly is transportation. There was no convent way to transport families and food out into the country and back -- even if there was desire to do so and we see no such desire to do so. In the early modern period, the aristocracy had hunting parties but there was lodges for their partying after the hunt. The great bulk of the population was, however, a rural peasantry that actually lived in the countryside. The term picnic is French, the origins of which is lost to history. When we first see it, is has none of the modern meaning (17th century). By the end of the century it is being used as a fashionable if not particularly extravagant meal and not out in the country. 【Lee】 It was part of Salon society with guests expected to bring food and drink or help pay for it. The French connection ended with the Revolution (1789). With French nobles losing their heads, they fled. While they fled to many countries, they primarily crossed the Channel to Britain. And in Britain they introduced the concept to the British. We see 200 wealthy young Francophile Brits who founded the ‘Pic Nic Society’ (1801). 【Lee】 The early British picnics were like the French picnics, all indoors, but perhaps more extravagant and sometimes raucous entertainment. But it is in Britain that the modern concept of the picnic began to develop (19th century). There were several major elements, all connected with the Industrial Revolution (IR). First the IR created lower-cost transport such as rail day trips. Second the IR generated vast wealth including a huge expansion of the middle class. The congestion and pollution in the cities created a desire to get out to the fresh air and sunshine of the countryside. Connected to all of this was a shift from the French upper-class Salon orientation to the Victorian focus on family life. Ribald entertainments shifted to games, often aimed at the children. The final step in the picnic occurred in the 20th century, along with rising affluence, the appearance of the family car--especially Henry Ford's low cost Model-T.

Background

The concept of a picnic is a very modern development. We do not see it any wherein the ancient or medieval eras. We also do not see it even in the early modern era. The reason for this almost certainly is transportation. There was no continent way to transport families and food out into the country and back -- even if there was desire to do so and we see no such desire to do so. In the early modern period, the aristocracy had hunting parties but there was lodges for their partying after the hunt. The great bulk of the population was, however, a rural peasantry that actually lived in the countryside. The term picnic is French, the origins of which is lost to history. One theory is that the original word was 'pique-nique' used to describe the well-to- do who brought their own wine while dining out, not wanting to chance getting served inferior wine (16th century). When we first see 'picnic' is has none of the modern meaning (17th century). By the end of the century it is being used as a fashionable if not particularly extravagant meal and not out in the country. 【Lee】

18th Century

Picnics, al still comfortably indoors, became part of Salon society with guests expected to bring food and drink or help pay for the event. Upper-class society discussed the issues of the day while nibbling away. The French connection ended with the Revolution (1789) leading to he Reign of Terror. With French nobles losing their heads to the guillotine, they fled. While they fled to many countries, they primarily crossed the Channel to Britain.

19th Century

the picnic as an event for the average person appeared in the 19th century, but only by mid-century as Victorian society and values became widely accepted. French nobles fleeing the Revolution introduced their version of the picnic to Britain in the late-18th century. And smart British society adopted the concept--still all indoors. We see 200 wealthy young Francophile Brits who founded the ‘Pic Nic Society’ (1801). 【Lee】 The early British picnics were like the French picnics, perhaps more extravagant and sometimes including raucous entertainment. They were anything, but a family outdoor event. But it is in Britain that the modern concept of the picnic began to develop (mid-19th century). There were several major elements, all connected with the Industrial Revolution (IR). First the IR created lower-cost transport such as rail day trips. Second the IR generated vast wealth including a huge expansion of the middle class. The congestion and pollution in the cities created a desire to get out to the fresh air and sunshine of the countryside. Connected to all of this was a shift from the French upper-class Salon orientation to the Victorian focus on family life. Ribald entertainments shifted to games, often aimed at the children. At first the outdoor picnic was at first a primary British and American phenomenon. The end of Revolutionary terror and then the return of the monarch meant the return of the indoor picnic to France and the continuation of its aristocratic focus. The Revolution was overcome, but revolutionary egalitarianism was a genie that could not be contained and there were reverberations throughout the social scale,. The growing middle-class gradually adopted the picnic, especially the outdoor version. Eventually the working class began to take an interest in picnicking within their financial abilities.

20th Century

The final step in the picnic occurred in the 20th century, along with rising affluence, the appearance of the family car--especially Henry Ford's low cost Model-T. With greater affluence and the family car, the possibilities for picnics greatly expanded in the 20th century. Picnics had become well established summer events by the early-20th century. With greater affluence and the family car, the possibilities for picnics greatly expanded in the 20th century. Picnics had become well established summer events by the early 20th century. With the advent of the Kodak Brownie and family snapshot, we see this development clearly in the photographic record (1900). We began to learn much more about every day dress as the camera emerged from the photo studio. Amateur family snapshots began to provide increasing numbers of images illustrating contemporary fashion.

Sources

Lee, Alexander. "The history of the picnic." History Today Vol. 69, Issue 7 (July 2019).

Created: 7:20 PM 2/7/2024
Last updated: 7:20 PM 2/7/2024