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Here are today’s five things to know about popcorn:

 

Popcorn is the world’s most popular snack food.

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Popcorn is also the most profitable snack food, with over 1 thousand percent mark up.

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Evidence of popcorn from 3600 BCE was found in New Mexico and even earlier evidence dating to perhaps as early as 4700 BCE was found in Peru.

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Some popcorn has been found in early 1900s to be a purple color.

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At least six localities (all in the Midwestern United States) claim to be the “Popcorn Capital of the World”: Ridgway, Illinois; Valparaiso, Indiana; Van Buren, Indiana; Schaller, Iowa; Marion, Ohio; and North Loup, Nebraska.

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Today’s Food History

  • 1825 The first U.S. patent for food storage in cans was granted to Ezra Daggett & Thomas Kensett of New York City, after developing the process in 1819.(it took over 30 years to invent the can open. Before then they were opened with knives or rods)
  • 1915 George Claude of Paris was issued a U.S. patent for a neon tube advertising sign.(The first neon sign in Time Square was of a Heinz pickle)
  • 1919 A huge wave of molasses kills dozens, Boston. Said to have been 45 ft high and 100ft wide.
  • 1939 On this day in history, Wisconsin native Ernest Hausen sets the world chicken-plucking record at 4.4 seconds
  • 1973 Iceland’s Cod War begins. Britain sends a Super Tug “The Statesman” to defend British fishermen against tactics such as wire cutting by the Icelandic Fishermen & Patrol Boats
  • 2010 Kraft attempted a hostile bid for Cadbury’s.

 

Many thanks to Little Kernel Popcorn for supporting National Popcorn Day!

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