Close your eyes, imagine you're in a movie theatre. The lights are out and you're seated. Now just take a deep breath. Can you smell it? That warm, savoury, salty and buttery aroma of a fresh bucket of popcorn. Your mouth is now watering, isn't it? So, now that you're fully set in the mood of popcorn, let's dig in and learn about this popular snack. We were just as curious as you about how this popcorn-cinema match made in heaven emerged.
HISTORY OF POPCORN
Maize was cultivated around 8,000 years ago. Puffed kernels of corn, aka popcorn, actually come from a strain of corn which has starchy kernels and a hard outer cover. When heated extensively, the pressure buildup inside the kernels makes them pop.
Due to its dry nature, it was very easy to carry popcorn kernels, thus popcorn became extremely popular in the US by the 1800s. Popcorn was very easy to make and was cheap too. But, after the invention of the steam-powered popcorn maker in 1885, popcorn completely exploded onto the scene and was available everywhere.
GROWTH IN THIS SNACK
Popcorn was extremely cheap and easy to make and available everywhere. But during the early period, it was entitled as a low-class snack. It was usually sold only on streets, fairs, carnivals, etc. It was nowhere sold near a movie theatre.
In the initial days, theatres were considered as a high-class entertainment hub. It only had elite goers. Hence, a low-class snack such as popcorn was not allowed inside the premises.
According to Andrew Smith, author of Popped Culture: A Social History of Popcorn, “Movie theatres wanted nothing to do with popcorn.” He continued, “Because they were trying to duplicate what was done in real theatres. They had beautiful carpets and rugs and didn’t want popcorn being ground into it.”
HOW DID IT MAKE WAY INTO THEATRES
As the cinemas prohibited popcorn selling inside, vendors started popcorn stands outside the theatres. As a result, the moviegoers just purchased the snack outside and walk in. After a while, the theatres realized what was going on and thought of it as a great business strategy.
They soon started selling popcorns and earned big bucks quite quickly.
Thereafter, popcorn became a movie-watching staple.
IMAGE SOURCES: GOOGLE IMAGES
SOURCES: EDTIMES, HISTORYA2Z
AUTHOR: RAMSHA KITTUR
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