Hello everyone. I've been away far too long.

[Tuj] Invented in the last thousand years. YES. Some accounts say that this was around a long time before its "official" invention date in the last thousand years, but I'll go with the account that gives a specific date.
[Inkspot] Thought process? NOT EXCLUSIVELY, this thing (rather than process) is abstract (i.e. non-tangible), but it is also translated into tangible form and because of that it has a definite effect on people's behaviour in the real world.
[flerdle] Proof? NO, although proof (in the informal sense) is often involved.

[Raak] Printing? NO (not that informal sense of proof!)

[flerdle] Propaganda, NO
[Raak] Pendulum, NO

(and if the diversity of those last few guesses isn't a hint that we still need more broad deductive questions, I don't know what is!)

To the question by Tuj "Linked with a particular culture or country?" you replied "NOT ANY MORE". Does that mean that it began in one country but it is now world wide.

ps if yes, a great clue would be the coutry of origin.

[Inkspot] OK, for nothing I shall reveal that this thing first appeared (according to the account I am following) in Venice first (when Venice was a country).
[Phil] Associated with a particular way of life? NOT REALLY (unless you mean particular professions?)

[Raak] Wikipedia says that pasta originated in many places independently, the earliest records being from China, so NO.

[flerdle] PATENT, YES! *astonished but grateful applause from the audience*.

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Gosh.

OK, short and simple:       VEGETABLE

[Projoy] Fungus? NO

Is it a whole plant? (Not having played here for months)

[Projoy] Green? Can be
[Chalky] Edible? YES
[Raak] Wood? NO
[Darren] a whole plant? NO

[Darren] a pepper? strictly NO, but may be involved.
[Projoy] an apple? strictly NO, but may be involved.
[Irouléguy] tea? NO.

[Projoy] a particluar dish? YES and NO, but probably more helpful if you take that as "YES".
[Raak] Pizza? yes please!! oh.     NO.

[Projoy] It's seven portions here... but either way, NO

[Projoy] Salad? NO
[Inkspot] Associated with a particular country? YES! *audience cheers*
[Raak] Eaten hot? NO