Appeal

This is an appeal to the blip hive mind. Why is it called getting the wooden spoon when finishing bottom? This is a genuine question that I would love to know the answer to - I have always wondered. I know there are those of my acquaintance who will suspect that this is related to the performance of a certain nation in the Six Nations - it is definitely not. However, that did appeal to a side of my sense of humour. I really do simply want to know why it is 'getting the wooden spoon'.