It started out in 1990, merely as a new type of woodworking tool. The Microplane rasp was first invented in 1990 by brothers Richard and Jeff Grace at their jointly owned contract manufacturing facility, Grace Manufacturing Inc., in Russellville, Arkansas, USA.

The big moment came in 1994, when Lorraine Lee, a homemaker in Ottawa, Canada, was making an Armenian orange cake. Out of frustration with her old grater, she picked up a new tool her husband, Leonard, had brought home from their hardware store, Lee Valley Tools. She slid the orange across its blades and was amazed. Lacy shards of zest fell from its surface like snowflakes. The Lees marveled at the tool, ate the cake, then promptly changed the product description in their catalogue. The Microplane grater had earned permanent space in the kitchen.

No matter the shape: box, flat, or rotary, Microplane's competition around the world are tools that have been made the same for hundreds of years. The cutting edges are formed by punching holes into flat or curved stainless steel or tin. Files are made by grinding a rough edge that works by rubbing and tearing.

Microplane Tools are better because they are sharp yet safe. Try one and expect a Miracle!