The late 19th century saw two shifts in nutcracker production: the rise in figurative and decorative designs, particularly from the Alps where they were sold as souvenirs, and a switch to industrial manufacture, including availability in mail-order catalogues, rather than artisan production. At one time, nutcrackers were actually made of metals such as brass, and it was not until the 1800s in Germany that the popularity of wooden ones began to spread. The nutcrackers were placed on dining tables to serve as a fun and entertaining center of conversation while diners awaited their final course. Nuts have long been a popular choice for desserts, particularly throughout Europe.

ĭuring the Victorian era, fruit and nuts were presented at dinner and ornate and often silver-plated nutcrackers were produced to accompany them on the dinner table. Many of the wooden carved nutcrackers were in the form of people and animals. Materials included metals such as silver, cast-iron and bronze, and wood including boxwood, especially those from France and Italy. The lever design may derive from blacksmiths' pincers. By the 14th century in Europe, nutcrackers were documented in England, including in the Canterbury Tales, and in France. Hinged lever nutcrackers, often called a 'pair of nutcrackers', may date back to Ancient Greece. These are also used for cracking the shells of crab and lobster to make the meat inside available for eating.

Manufacturers produce modern functional nutcrackers usually somewhat resembling pliers, but with the pivot point at the end beyond the nut, rather than in the middle.

Some nuts such as walnuts can also be opened by hand, by holding the nut in the palm of the hand and applying pressure with the other palm or thumb, or using another nut. Nuts were historically opened using a hammer and anvil, often made of stone. A Crackerjack nutcracker, which uses a ratchet

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