Timeline of History of Pizza - From Ancient Flatbreads to Global Icon

Pizza began as flatbreads with toppings in ancient times and evolved into a global favorite. Key moments include the first use of the word "pizza," the invention of Pizza Margherita, the rise of pizzerias, and the spread of unique regional styles. From Naples to New York and beyond, pizza has become one of the world's most beloved foods.

Bikash Kampo

19 events

2020

Automation and Technology Revolutionize Pizza Making and Delivery

Technological advances, such as robot pizza makers and drone delivery, began transforming the pizza industry. These innovations improved efficiency, consistency, and convenience, demonstrating how pizza continues to evolve with changing consumer expectations and technological possibilities.

2017

Neapolitan Pizza Recognized by UNESCO

The art of Neapolitan pizza-making was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, acknowledging its cultural significance and promoting its preservation.

2010

Rise of Plant-Based, Gluten-Free, and Gourmet Pizza Innovations

The 2010s saw a surge in plant-based, gluten-free, and gourmet pizza options. Chefs and pizzerias worldwide began experimenting with new ingredients, unique toppings, and alternative crusts to cater to changing dietary trends and preferences, further expanding pizza’s global appeal.

2009

EU Grants Neapolitan Pizza Protected Status as Cultural Heritage

The European Union granted Traditional Specialty Guaranteed (TSG) status to Neapolitan pizza, recognizing it as a cultural food heritage. This ruling set strict standards for ingredients and preparation, protecting the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza and ensuring its preservation for future generations.

2005

Lombardi's Celebrates 100th Anniversary with 5-Cent Pizza Promotion

Lombardi's Pizza commemorated its centennial by selling entire pizzas for just 5 cents, matching their original 1905 price. This celebration highlighted the remarkable longevity and cultural impact of America's first pizzeria. The promotion was so successful that they repeated it in 2015 for their 110th anniversary.

1995

Stuffed Crust Pizza Introduces Major Innovation in Pizza Design

Pizza Hut debuted stuffed crust pizza, featuring cheese baked inside the outer crust. This significant product innovation created a new pizza category and sparked numerous imitations across the industry. The development demonstrated how traditional pizza could continue to evolve while maintaining its essential character.

1994

Pizza Hut Pioneers Online Ordering with PizzaNet

Pizza Hut launched PizzaNet, an early experiment in internet ordering that revolutionized food service technology. This innovative system represented one of the first commercial applications of online food ordering, predating the e-commerce boom and setting the stage for digital transformation in the restaurant industry.

1980

Invention of California-Style Gourmet Pizzas

Chefs like Ed LaDou pioneered California-style pizzas, introducing unconventional toppings and emphasizing fresh, local ingredients. This movement expanded the boundaries of traditional pizza-making.

1960

Domino’s Pizza Founded, Pioneering Nationwide Delivery

Tom and James Monaghan founded Domino’s Pizza in Michigan, focusing on fast, reliable pizza delivery. Domino’s introduced innovations like the pizza delivery box and a streamlined menu, helping to popularize pizza delivery nationwide and shaping the modern pizza industry.

May 31, 1958

Brothers Dan and Frank Carney Found Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas

Wichita State University students Dan and Frank Carney launched Pizza Hut as a single location in Wichita. Within a year, they expanded to six outlets and began franchising in 1959. This humble beginning would eventually transform into one of the world's largest pizza chains with 19,866 restaurants worldwide.

1943

Ike Sewell Invents Chicago-Style Deep-Dish Pizza at Pizzeria Uno

Ike Sewell introduced the Chicago-style deep-dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno in Chicago. This new style featured a thick, buttery crust and generous layers of cheese and toppings. The deep-dish pizza became an iconic American variant, influencing regional pizza styles across the United States.

1905

Lombardi's Becomes First Pizzeria in the United States

Lombardi's Pizza opened in New York City and has been recognized by the Pizza Hall of Fame as America's first pizzeria. Originally a grocery store at 53½ Spring Street selling "tomato pies" wrapped in paper to factory workers, it received a business license to operate as a restaurant in 1905, marking pizza's commercial establishment in America.

1889

Raffaele Esposito Creates Pizza Margherita for Queen Margherita

Neapolitan pizza maker Raffaele Esposito is credited with creating the Pizza Margherita in honor of Queen Margherita of Savoy. The pizza featured tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the colors of the Italian flag. This event popularized pizza among Italy's upper classes and established the Margherita as a classic style.

1830

Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba Opens as First Modern Pizzeria in Naples

Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba opened in Naples, Italy, and is widely recognized as the world's first modern pizzeria. It provided a dedicated space for customers to sit and enjoy pizza, transitioning the dish from street food to a restaurant staple and setting the standard for future pizzerias globally.

AD 997

First Known Use of the Word "Pizza" in Gaeta, Italy

The earliest documented use of the word "pizza" appears in a Latin text from the town of Gaeta, Italy. The document refers to a tenant owing "duodecim pizze" (twelve pizzas) as part of a rent payment. This reference marks the first known written record of the term, establishing pizza's linguistic and cultural roots in Italian history.

19 BC

Virgil's Aeneid References Edible "Tables" Similar to Flatbreads

In Virgil's Aeneid, a prophetic scene describes Trojans eating their "tables," which were actually thin cakes sprinkled with mushrooms and herbs. This literary reference, with Ascanius exclaiming "etiam mensas consumimus!" ("even the tables are consumed!"), illustrates how flatbreads with toppings were integrated into Roman culture and mythology.

160 BC

Cato Records Recipe for "Placenta" Cake in Ancient Rome

Cato the Elder documented a recipe for "placenta" in his "De Agri Cultura," following the Greek recipe for plakous. This Roman adaptation was a layered dough mixed with cheese and honey, flavored with bay leaves. Served at convivia (banquets) and sold by bakers in slices, it became a popular Roman dish.

400 BC

Ancient Greeks Develop "Plakous" Flatbread with Various Toppings

Ancient Greeks created "plakous" (πλακοῦς), a flatbread flavored with toppings such as herbs, onion, cheese, and garlic. The word "plakous" derives from Greek "plakoeis" meaning "flat." Poet Archestratos mentioned it as a dessert served with nuts and dried fruits, establishing the tradition of topped flatbreads in Mediterranean cuisine.

550 BC

Persian Soldiers Bake Flatbreads with Toppings on Battle Shields

Persian soldiers serving under Darius the Great during the Achaemenid Empire baked flatbreads topped with cheese and dates on their battle shields. This early combination of flatbread with savory toppings represents one of the earliest documented precursors to modern pizza, showing how the concept originated from practical battlefield cuisine.