High-res version

Happy National Fast Food Day

Here are today’s five things to know about fast food:

During the early 1900s, the hamburger was thought to be polluted, unsafe to eat, and food for the poor. Street carts, not restaurants, typically served them.

Every month, approximately nine out of 10 American children visit a McDonald’s restaurant.

By 2020, Americans are expected to spend over $223 billion on fast food.

There are more than 300,000 fast food restaurants in the U.S. alone

In the 1990s, cupholders were first introduced into car design. Although the 60’s For Falcon had the first built in cupholder.

Today’s Food History

• 1620 The first corn (maize) was supposedly discovered (by European settlers) by some Pilgrims led by Myles Standish, while exploring the area near Provincetown, Massachusetts. They named the spot Corn Hill.
• 1867 Leon Daudet was born. French journalist and novelist, well known gastronome of his time.
• 1913 The first volume of Marcel Proust’s ‘Remembrance of Things Past’ was published. On January 1, 1909, he ate a piece of tea-soaked toast whose taste caused a flood of childhood memories. In his 7 volume allegorical novel ‘Remembrance of Things Past,’ the character Swann has a similar experience when he bites into a lemon cookie (a madelaine) which brings on a similar flood of memories. This is one of the most widely quoted allusions in literature.

Check out My Book!