In Search of the Bread Basket

The question as to whether or not to provide free bread when customers initially sit down in a restaurant is starting to  get attention from restaurant owners. In an attempt to cut expenses, an increasing #  of restaurants have decided to stop providing the bread. Some have cut it out completely and others have it available if the customer is willing to pay for it. The decision to stop providing the "bread basket" appears to be economic. One owner estimated that the cost of free bread was $75,000 a year. In addition, other owners point out that a "bread basket" fills customers up and cuts into sales by leading customers to forego appetizers or desert.  It would seem, however, that this would have been the case eve since bread was originally provided. Customer reactions seem to be largely negative with people complaining because  they have stopped receiving what had always been included as a welcome to the restaurant.  All of this had led me to try and determine the origins of the "bread basket". I am having trouble finding when and where it started and if the motivation was anything but an attempt to put the customer in a good mood. I would like to hear from anyone who has info regarding the origins of free bread.