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Subject of the Month: 2025

Detroit Hustle
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August's Subject of the Month

Sandwiches


Selector: Maria Nuccilli

The origin of sandwich is often traced to 18th‑century England, where John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, supposedly requested meat tucked between slices of bread so he could eat without leaving the card table. But such meals have existed across cultures for centuries. Today, the sandwich is both a global staple and a pop‑culture icon, from the towering Dagwood of comic‑strip fame to the classic PB&J. Its versatility sparks debate as well: are hot dogs or burritos sandwiches? Does avocado toast count? This guide gathers resources on the sandwich’s origins, cultural history, and its evolution into a global culinary staple.

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Historic Cookbooks

Explore sandwich recipes of yesteryear with these digitized public domain cookbooks, access provided by HathiTrust.

Ebooks

Go "between the slices" to explore the history and culture of sandwiches. Please note, a WSU AccessID and password are required to view these ebooks.

Library Resources 

Adam Matthew Digital: Food and Drink in History (WSU AccessID and password requried)
From feast to famine, explore primary source material documenting the story of food and drink throughout history. The materials in this collection illustrate the deep links between food and identity, politics and power, gender, race and socio-economic status, as well as charting key issues around agriculture, nutrition and food production.

Scholarly Journals:

Digitized Cookbook Collections

Related Research Guides

Famous Characters and their Favorite Sandwiches

Wayne State University Press

Wayne State University Press is a distinctive urban publisher committed to supporting the core research, teaching, and service mission of WSU by generating high-quality scholarly and general-interest books of global importance. Through its publishing program, the Press disseminates research, advances education, and serves the local community while expanding the international reputation of the Press and the University.

Local Guide: Best Sandwiches in Metro Detroit

Credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University

Exterior view of the Miami Sandwich Shop located at 829 Bates Street in downtown Detroit. 

Just for Fun

Scooby Doo Sandwich Stack is a tall sandwich building game where you move Scooby Doo and Shaggy left and right to catch falling ingredients while avoiding periodically falling dynamite.