Eggs are a big part of the diet in many cultures. They can be cooked and served in all sorts of different recipes, from an egg sandwich or an omelet, to an egg-based dip or a spinach and feta pie. The birth of the egg poacher is generally thought to date back to 1755 when it was patented by Thomas Austin. However, it wasn't until 1859 that Edward Lyman patented another variation of the poached egg that is still almost universally used today.