is it true that the TIE we wear was used as napkin in its early days of invention?

Necktie Down the Ages

Believe it or not Croatia is the mother country of the modern necktie but archaeological evidence of the use of neckties goes back to the Chinese and the Romans almost two millenniums back.

Around the year 1635, some six thousand soldiers and knights came to Paris to give their support to King Louis XlV and Cardinal Richelieu. Among them were a great number of Croatian mercenaries led by a ban, or Croatian viceroy.

The traditional outfit of these Croats aroused interest on account of the unusual and picturesque scarves distinctively tied about their necks. The scarves were made of various cloths, ranging from coarse material for common soldiers, to fine cotton and silk for officers. This elegant "Croatian style" immediately enamoured the French, who were delighted by the new article of clothing, which had been previously unknown in Europe.

The fashionable expression, ’a la croate’, soon evolved into a new French word, which still exists today: la cravate. Many experts believe the French word for tie, cravat, is a corruption of "Croat." In fact, French kings maintained an elite regiment, the Cravate Royale, until the French Revolution of 1789.

i am not sure as if it were used as a napkin but early symbolist stated that it was used as a sexual sign or garment gesture by men to communicate their sexual needs to women. it is said to have that design (slender at the top and with an arrow like bottom) to point towards the male libido. not sure if it is true but based on research that is what is reported

no it was originaly a cravat worn by mercenaries

All I know is that its purpose is to hide your buttons.