In 1965, a renowned French baker named Guy Demarle sought a way to make even better baguettes. He created a special baking mat designed to help him achieve his goals — and it was a success! He named his creation Silpat after its two main components — fiberglass and silicone. Not only was the mat non-stick, it also made clean-up easier, eliminated the need for greasing, and promoted more even cooking through better heat distribution. Demarle’s creation was soon embraced in both professional and home kitchens, where it continues to be a workhorse for professional and home chefs alike. The mats were originally produced at Bray-lès-Mareuil in France and are now made by Maison Demarle in Wavrin, France today.