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Grab your popcorn because it’s time for a thread about… popcorn 
Some #PopcornHistory: the variety of maize used for popcorn was originally cultivated in Central America. It became a popular snack in South America, and it’s thought whalers brought it to North America from Chile in the 1800s.
In 1885, the first steam-powered popcorn maker, invented by Charles Cretor, hit the streets. It was mobile, meaning popcorn could be made outside without a kitchen. Ideal for things like sports games, but not cinemas, yet.
In the early days of the cinema, or movie theatres in America, popcorn was not allowed in the auditorium. Cinemas were trying to attract the same audiences as theatres and opera houses and they didn’t want popcorn ground into the carpets.
When sound was added to films, cinema became much more accessible. In the early 1930s, cinema attendances in the US were reaching 90 million per week.
There was also an added benefit of films no longer being silent; it muffled the sound of delicious crunchy snacks.
There was also an added benefit of films no longer being silent; it muffled the sound of delicious crunchy snacks.
People began sneaking popcorn into the cinema, buying it from the street vendors before going in to see the film.
In the mid-1930s, the cinema industry was struggling due to the Great Depression. The owners of the cinemas decided that there may be something in this popped corn business, so many began installing popcorn machines and concession stands.
Snacks = profit.
Snacks = profit.
It was World War II that really solidified popcorn as *the* movie snack. While sugar was rationed, corn and salt were still easy to come by. By 1945, over half of all popcorn consumed in the US was eaten in cinemas.
The introduction of the microwave (pronounced meekro-wahvé) in the 1970s meant popcorn could be made easily at home, but really, nothing beats the delicious taste of cinema popcorn.
