The Unusual History of Popcorn Machines

Popcorn machines have been around for more than 4,000 years and have evolved considerably since. These machines now use electricity to heat oil or air to heat large batches of corn kernels at a time. You can even make popcorn in the microwave or over an open fire in convenient packages. The earliest machines, however, look nothing like they do now.

Primitive Popcorn Machines

When an ancient culture in New Mexico discovered that a certain type of corn would 'pop' when it was heated, they immediately designed the world's earliest version of the popcorn machine. They would heat fine sand in the fire and add the kernels into the sand to make them pop.

Other cultures of the time made a game of popping popcorn. They would heat stones on the fire as hot as they could and pour the seeds onto it. The people of the village would then gather around the stones and catch the grains as they popped and flew into the air.

Eventually, primitive popcorn poppers became more popular and the snack quickly became an important part of several cultures. Many 4th century Mexican cultures would include popcorn kernels inside their funeral urns as an offering to the spirits in order to secure a safe passage to the next life. Native American tribes that appeared years later believed that spirits lived inside the kernels. The natives thought that the kernels popped when the extreme heat would anger the spirits.

Years later, Native North American cultures created prehistoric popcorn machines as well. However, popcorn became a staple food rather than a treat. The Iroquois tribes would use heated pottery to cook the kernels and use them to create foods such as soup and an early variety of breakfast cereal. Others would boil animal fat and simply dip the cob into it to cook.

The Evolution Of Popcorn Machines

By the 17th century, popcorn had become a common sight in the household, and due to the increase in demand, the race was on to come up with an easier way to crack the corn husks. Blacksmiths started to make popcorn machines by fashioning metal cones out of flat iron. Then, they threaded a metal spit into the center of the contraption so that it could rotate over the fire to prevent the corn kernels from burning.

In 1885, Charles Cretors designed and created the first of a long line of popcorn machines in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Cretors owned a sweet shop and had purchase a peanut roasting machine that didn't work as well as it should have. He soon altered the machine and began selling his products in and around the area via traveling salesmen as well as through his store. Eight years later, he attended the Chicago Columbian Exposition with his new machine and history was born.

Popcorn machines experienced widespread growth during the 1900s. Following his success at the Exposition in 1893, Charles Cretors mounted his corn popper onto a carriage creating the world's first mobile popcorn cart and made the world's first electric version a short time later. When it came to the actual selling of the machines, Fred Hoke and James Holcomb of Holcomb & Hoke Co beat Mr. Cretors to the punch in 1914. With prices ranging between $400 and $1300, these machines sold like hotcakes until the Great Depression caused the company to cease operations in 1934.

Today, popcorn machines look nothing like their earlier counterparts. They are available in virtually any size and create many different flavors and varieties of popcorn. The sleek and customizable machines are everywhere producing popcorn in mere minutes.

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Awesome Popcorn Facts!

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Americans eats more than 16 billion quarts of it. This well liked treat is whole grain and good for you too! This equals out to 65 quarts for every man, woman and child. It is very low in calories. It has 55 calories per cup. Air popped has 31 calories per cup.

It is a member of the grass family. It is known by it's scientific name as Zea Mays Everta. It is a type of corn or maize. There are 5 different types of corn. They are flour, dent or field, flint, sweet and popcorn. Only popcorn can pop. This due to the amount of moisture in the kernels. The moisture content is 13 ½ to 14 percent.

The 2 different types are Snowflake and Mushroom. The Snowflake is normally used in concession poppers. The Snowflake pops up soft and fluffy. The Mushroom variety is mostly used in candy making. It holds up to handling and takes candy coatings better. There are over 700 different types of popcorn.

In the early 1700's, kettle corn was introduced to the settlers . They would take large cast iron kettles and pop the corn in them. The settlers used lard and molasses, sugar cane or honey. They would use what ever sweeteners they had on hand.

The kettle corn that is being popped at fairs and farmers markets is a great way to make money. It has a very high profit margin and a very low overhead. You can usually recoup your initial investment in a couple of shows.

Mr. Perry Spencer led the way to the development of the microwave oven. He discovered that when popcorn was placed near a microwave it would pop.

Some of the oldest known popcorn was discovered in the Bat cave of west central New Mexico in 1948. The ears of corn ranged from smaller than a penny to almost 2 inches long.

It became very popular during the great depression in the 1890's. They was sold it in bags for 5 to 10 cents each. Some street vendors would push their gas and steam powered poppers around following the crowds selling the delicious treat. Very few people could afford this luxury. Some people even started their own popcorn business to help their families during the lean years.

Sales dropped off in the early 1950s, when the TV. became popular. Movie theater attendance also dropped too. So did consumption, when the public started eating it at home. Home poppers were first introduced around 1925.

January 19 is National Popcorn Day!

April 7th is Caramel Popcorn Day!

October is National Popcorn Popping Month!

Native American tribes would pop the corn right on the cob. They would spear the corn cob with a stick and roast it over an open flame. This would cause the kernels to pop and stick right on the cob.

The English colonists enjoyed it at the first Thanksgiving feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was brought as a gift by the chief's brother. The colonists ate the popcorn with milk and sugar. This is the first known breakfast cereal.

The American Dental Association lists it as a sugar free snack. It is low in calories along with pears, apples, cheese, nuts and plain yogurt.

For weight control, The American Diabetes Association uses it as a bread exchange. It provides the the necessary roughage and fiber to aid in digestion and the overall health of the body. It provides 1.3 grams of dietary fiber needed.

The kernels will start popping at the temperature of 347 degrees. It can pop as high as 3 feet. The un-popped kernels are called "spinsters" or "old maids". Good popcorn should produce less than 2 percent of "old maids".

It also contains more protein, iron and phosphorus than potato chips, an ice cream cone, pretzels or soda crackers.

It is enjoyed in many different flavors in different parts of the world. Germany, Luxemburg, Switzerland and Belgium love it sweet. The rest of Europe prefers it salty. Americans love it with salt and butter and a host of sweet coatings. The Japanese eat it with seaweed or shrimp flavorings.

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Snack on Popcorn Anytime

From earliest Colonial America through the days of frontier settlement, lightly sweetened popcorn was served as a breakfast cereal with milk. It was a precursor to modern breakfast cereals. Today, any variety of flavored popcorn could make a quick part of a grab-and-go breakfast for the busy commuter. Make a bag of microwave popcorn while bustling around the kitchen in the morning routine. Let a sweet cinnamon or vanilla flavor substitute for that heavy, fat-laden Danish with the requisite morning coffee. Instead of toast and jam, a fruit-flavored variety makes a great choice as a companion to orange juice.

At midday or dinner, the savory cheddar, chili, garlic, Parmesan or jalapeno flavors make a great alternative to croutons in a salad. These flavors can also be used as a beautiful garnish for a steaming bowl of soup. Use the flavors mixed together or alone. Sprinkle a bit of spicy popcorn seasoning over the top of that soup or salad for an extra taste explosion. With the amazing array of flavor options available today, boring greasy chips pale in comparison as a counterpart to that lunchtime sandwich.

Around the office, popcorn makes an excellent afternoon snack. It gives that little energy boost needed to get through the afternoon without being so filling that it causes afternoon drowsiness. That familiar popping sound from the break room microwave always draws a crowd willing to partake. A decorative tin filled with a variety of flavors also makes great gift on any occasion for that difficult-to-buy-for coworker.

For a weekend hike or bike ride, mix any plain or flavored popcorn with a fruit and nut trail mix for a trail food lighter in calories. After hitting the gym, it is a great way to replenish carbohydrates after a tough workout without that weighed down feeling. When at home, that buttery crunch is a must when it is time to watch the big game or that favorite flick.

Morning, afternoon or evening, on the go or relaxing at home, sweet, salty or savory, popcorn makes snacking sense.

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