Breadsticks were invented in Piemonte in the middle of the 17th century by the cook Brunero to let the delicate child Vittorio Amedeo II, duke of Savoy, eat bread preventing him from stomach-aches.

Brunero took the typical loaf of that time, the «ghersa», and stretching it along his arms spread, creating the «ghersìn».

Breadsticks had such a large success that their fame came to Napoleon who was used to ordering them to Turin bakers.