Happy National Popcorn Day! On January 19th, today pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night.
This time-honored snack can be sweet or savory, caramelized, buttered or plain, molded into a candied ball, or tossed with nuts and chocolate. However it is enjoyed, enjoy it on National Popcorn Day!
The word “corn” in Old English meant “grain” or, more specifically, the most prominent grain grown in a region. As maize was the most common grain in early America, the word “corn” was aptly applied.
As early as the 16th century, the Aztec used popcorn in headdresses worn during ceremonies honoring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by the corn that burst into what looked like a white flower.
Popcorn started becoming popular in the United States in the middle 1800s.
It wasn’t until American businessman and entrepreneur Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable. By 1900, he had horse-drawn popcorn wagons going through the streets of Chicago, Illinois.
It wasn’t until American businessman and entrepreneur Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable. By 1900, he had horse-drawn popcorn wagons going through the streets of Chicago, Illinois.
At about the same time, American entrepreneur Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn to bring Cracker Jack to the world. He co-created the tasty treat with his brother Frederick in 1871 at their Chicago Popcorn stand.
Years later in 1908, the national anthem of baseball was born. American songwriter, singer and vaudeville performer Jack Norworth and American songwriter Albert Von Tilzer (the younger brother of fellow American songwriter Harry Von Tilzer) wrote Take Me out to the Ballgame.
From that point onward, popcorn, specifically Cracker Jack®, became forever married to the game.
From that point onward, popcorn, specifically Cracker Jack®, became forever married to the game.
At the Movies
Another romance connected to popcorn may have had a slow start but eventually took off. Today, who can imagine going to the movies without getting a box of buttered popcorn?
While popcorn was an economical choice for a snack food, the expense of installing a machine and adequately venting the building didn’t seem worth the effort. If it weren’t for American Midwestern theater owner Glen W. Dickson, we would be purchasing our popcorn from a vendor on the street before taking in the show.
It was Dickson of whom put in the effort and expense of placing machines inside the lobbies of his theaters. After realizing how quickly he recouped his costs, other theater owners followed suit.
It was Dickson of whom put in the effort and expense of placing machines inside the lobbies of his theaters. After realizing how quickly he recouped his costs, other theater owners followed suit.
The microwave oven spurred the next big advancement for popcorn. With the invention of the microwave, a whole new market opened for the snack food.
Magnetrons, a technology produced by the American defense contractor and industrial company Raytheon Manufacturing Corporation for the military during World War II, were later used to develop microwave ovens.
American physicist and inventor Percy Spencer was the man who made it happen. He later used popcorn in his initial experiments during the microwave’s development.
Magnetrons, a technology produced by the American defense contractor and industrial company Raytheon Manufacturing Corporation for the military during World War II, were later used to develop microwave ovens.
American physicist and inventor Percy Spencer was the man who made it happen. He later used popcorn in his initial experiments during the microwave’s development.
Today, Americans consume thirteen billion quarts of popcorn a year! This is more than any other country in the world. A majority of the popcorn produced in the world is grown in the United States. Thus far, Nebraska leads the corn belt in popcorn production.
HOW TO OBSERVE
National Day Calendar® began on National Popcorn Day in 2014. Today, pop your favorite popcorn and share a bowl with a friend. Take a photo and share it on social media using #NationalPopcornDay.
HISTORY
The a-maizing origins of this pop-ular day is mysteriously amiss. However, the day has been observed since at least 1988. Today, pop 'til you drop!
The a-maizing origins of this pop-ular day is mysteriously amiss. However, the day has been observed since at least 1988. Today, pop 'til you drop!
How do you like your popcorn?
#NationalPopcornDay
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