For "dampers" in the sense of automotive suspension parts, see shock absorbers. A shock absorber in United States parlance, or damper in British use, is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp a sudden shock impulse and dissipate kinetic energy. ...

Damper is a traditional Australian outback food prepared by swagmen, drovers and other travellers. It consists of a wheat flour based, unleavened bread baked in the coals of a campfire. Damper is an iconic Australian dish. A typical outback scene, somewhere north of Coober Pedy. ... A swagman is an old Australian term describing an underclass of transient temporary workers, who travelled by foot from farm to farm carrying the traditional swag. ... A drover is a person that drives livestock to a new location, usually referring to the pre-20th century practice of walking with them and herding them similar to a cowhand. ... An ingredient used in many foods, flour is a fine powder made from cereals or other starchy food sources. ... Breads are a group of staple foods prepared by baking, steaming, or frying dough consisting minimally of flour and water. ...

Damper is also a movable iron plate that regulates the draft in a stove or chimney or furnace

Damper was originally developed by stockmen who travelled in remote areas for weeks with only basic rations of flour, preserved meat, butter, tea and sugar to live on. The basic ingredients were flour, water, salt and sometimes milk. The damper was normally cooked in the ashes of the camp fire. The ashes were flattened and the damper was placed in there for ten minutes to cook. Following this, the damper was covered with ashes and cooked for another 20 to 30 minutes until the damper sounded hollow when tapped. Alternatively, the damper was cooked in a greased camp oven. Dutch oven from the 1890s Note the evidence of ashes on the lid. ...

Damper was eaten with dried or cooked meat or golden syrup, also known as "cockies joy". It was traditionally served with a cup of tea, made in a billy of course, or even a swig of Bundaberg Rum. In cooking, a syrup (from Arabic sharab, beverage, via Latin siropus) is a thick, viscous liquid, containing a large amount of dissolved sugars, but showing little tendency to deposit crystals. ... A billycan, more commonly known simply as a billy or occasionally as a billy can, is the traditional Australian utensil for boiling water, making tea and cooking anything liquid on a campfire. ... Bundaberg Rum is a dark rum made in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. ...

Damper was also a popular dish with Australian aborigines, many of whom worked as drovers. It also became a popular dish amongst recreational campers and gradually became available in many bakeries. Many variations and recipes exist, some of them authentic, others just using the name to sell a more palatable bread product to the urban public. Australian Aborigines are the main indigenous people of Australia. ...

See recipes in Wikibooks Cookbook:Cuisine of Australia

• Damper
• Drover's Damper

External links

• Page on damper as part of bush tucker
• Aussie Info page on damper
• Australian Bush Damper Gerry & Mo Noterey from Australian Outdoors (Recipes with pictures!)