Baking dates back over 14,000 years, long before ovens or cookbooks. Prehistoric Era: Early humans mashed wild grains with water to make a basic paste, which they cooked on hot stones—an early form of flatbread. Ancient Egypt (around 2600 BCE): Egyptians were among the first to use yeast to leaven bread. They discovered fermentation, possibly by accident, and developed rudimentary ovens. Hieroglyphs and tomb paintings show that bread and cakes were central to Egyptian life. Greeks developed closed ovens, which allowed for more controlled baking. They introduced pastries and used honey, nuts, and fruits for sweetness. Romans refined baking into an art. They had professional bakers (pistores) and even regulated the industry. Around 168 BCE, the first recorded Roman baking school was founded. The 20th century saw the rise of home baking, thanks to pre-measured ingredients and ovens in every kitchen. Television shows, cookbooks, and later, the internet and social media, popularized baking globally. Today, baking is both a profession and a beloved hobby, blending science, tradition, and creativity.