Found this short couple of paragraphs after a google search....you could too....
The Romans
Long known for their contributions to modern development, the Romans produced the first known pocketknife.
Skilled metal workers, the Romans made a knife that was three inches long and closed without a nail nick, or spring.
The handles were elaborately carved, with one on display in a British museum having a gladiator carved into the handle.
Middle Ages
Because table cutlery was not available in pubs and taverns, affluent travelers would travel with their own cutlery.
Those of means would carry a folding, or pocketknife. Like the Romans' knife, the pocketknife
of the Middle Ages lacked a spring when folding.
The 18th Century
Until the 18th century, the only pocketknife choice was the jackknife, a heavy and awkward tool
with a single blade that closed into a grooved handle. As the century progressed, knife makers began using springs
for the folds and began making multi-bladed pocketknives.
There are many examples available online with a search of google....
