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[[File:Popcorn-1085072_960_720.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|Popcorn]]

==Early Evidence of Popcorn==

Corn was domesticated more than 9,000 years ago in the New World, most likely in Mexico. Some researchers have suggested popcorn was made even before corn was domesticated, as wild varieties of corn can also be used to create popcorn. Pollen evidence of corn in Mexico suggest that popcorn could go back to more than 15,000 years ago. At about 5500-5600 years ago, evidence from Mexico becomes more evident that popcorn may have been made, where burnt remains have been found.

As corn spread in its use throughout the New World prior to the arrival of Columbus, many cultures that adopted corn began to also make popcorn. This was often, though not always, done by taking a long stick, attaching the corn, and then letting the ear of corn pop its kernels over an open fire. The popcorn would then be captured, but the process may have been somewhat inefficient as likely kernels would be lost. Another way included using clay pots where the corn was placed and then the kernels popped inside the jar. In some exceptional preservation environments, intact popcorn older than 1,000 years has been found in Utah and Peru, where both regions are dry and can preserve archaeological remains.<ref>For more on the earliest finds of popcorn, see: Elton, B. (2003). <i>Popcorn.</i> London: Black Swan.</ref>

The presence of Cretors' machines in festivals and fairs soon began to associate popcorn with these events, which popcorn is still associated with today. By 1900s, Cretors' popcorn machines began to use electricity rather than steam. This early use of electricity insured that the company and the brand was well positioned for the increased electrification that occurred for household and larger consumer suppliers during the first few decades of the 20th century. Such developments now also made popcorn machines become more typical household items. Interestingly, the Great Depression had little effect for popcorn makers. During this time, popcorn was so cheap to make that it became a common food for consumption, enabling many suppliers to thrive in very difficult economic circumstances. It also meant that popcorn became more popular, as the low prices helped to spread its consumption outside of just carnivals or fairs but to also more daily consumption. One such business was the Redenbacher family, where the family was able to support itself during difficult economic circumstances by selling popcorn. This family today is still associated with a popular popcorn brand.<ref>For more on the development of popcorn machines and growing popularity, see: Nielsen, L. M. (2007). <i>The Biography of Corn.</i> New York, NY: Crabtree Pub. Co., pg. 23.</ref>

Interestingly, it was also during the Depression in the 1930s that popcorn became associated with eating during watching a film. Theaters began to experiment by putting popcorn machines in the lobby and selling it to moviegoers. This proved so immensely successful that it began to spread to other theaters rapidly across the US. In fact, many theater owners thought it would be distracting to sell popcorn, as it can be noisy to eat, but the success of popcorn sales soon changed their minds. During World War II, sugar rationing meant that candy was not as widely available. With decreasing candy consumption in theaters and other venues, this opened the way for popcorn now to become the number one movie snack as well as the most popular snack in venues such as fairs. These changing tastes solidified popcorn's place in snakes.<ref>For more on how popcorn culture changed and transformed US consumers, see: Giedt 2013 </ref>

==Summary==

Popcorn has become one of the best known snack foods. Its history, however, has shown that it has been associated with many things. These associations include its use in religious ceremonies, consumption as a breakfast food, use in soup, and even made into a type of beer. The modern popularity of popcorn was sparked by a few key events. The first was the development of an automated popcorn maker in the 1880s. The second was that it was cheap, making it popular during difficult economic circumstances. Finally, its association with events, such as watching movies and, initially, carnivals, fairs, and outdoor events solidified its position as a leading snack. The introduction of household appliances that make popcorn also helped to spread its use beyond public events. Today's popcorn comes in many varieties and is made using many different methods, ranging from roasting on the stove, to air popping machines, and microwave popcorn being among the most common.

==References==