- Charles Cretors, the man behind the machine, was the owner of a Chicago candy store. With his eyes on the snack industry, he ordered a peanut roaster to sell the popular nuts.
- The roaster was poorly designed, so, Cretors set out to improve it. He added a popcorn popper to the design. It was 1885, and the commercial popcorn machine was born.
- The machine, steam-powered and mobile, appeared to great success at the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Cretors gave the treat away for free, using the smell as powerful advertising.
- During the Depression, vendors sold popcorn for five cents, which kept poppers in business in tough times.
- When sugar was rationed during World War II, Americans again turned to popcorn to fill the snack urge.
- Popcorn's popularity never dimmed. Today, it is easily prepared with the microwave oven.
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