🍅 Origin of the Word
“Pomodoro” is the Italian term for “tomato.” The naming is a reference to the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that was adopted by Francesco Cirillo, the founder of the Pomodoro Technique.
⏲️ The First Timer
Cirillo in the late 1980s made use of an ordinary tomato-shaped kitchen timer to split his study time into short intervals of intense focus lasting 25 minutes each — which he called one “Pomodoro.”
🧠 Meaning Behind It
One Pomodoro denotes one 25-minute duration of complete and uninterrupted focus followed by a short break, thus maintaining the very high level of productivity and mental freshness.
🎯 Symbolism
The tomato signifies simplicity and effectiveness—the ordinary small tool has been transformed into a potent method for managing time and concentrating.