The cheese grater dates back to 16th-century France, invented by François Boullier to help people use hardened cheese during economic hardship. Early graters were simple metal sheets with holes, shaped by blacksmiths. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution made graters widely available, improving designs with varied hole sizes.

In the 20th century, key innovations emerged: the box grater (1920s), rotary grater (1940s), and later, stainless steel and plastic enhancements. The late 1900s saw electric graters and Microplane tools for finer textures.

Today, graters range from manual to electric, shaping cuisines worldwide. Whether for pizza, pasta, or salads, they remain essential, evolving with modern kitchens.