A Mistake Sparks a Snack Revolution
In 1853, George Crum, a chef in Saratoga Springs, New York, unintentionally created the potato chip. When Cornelius Vanderbilt complained about thick fries, Crum sliced potatoes wafer-thin, fried them crisp, and sent them out as a joke. Vanderbilt loved them.
Saratoga Chips Take Off
Crum’s “Saratoga Chips” became popular, eventually leading him to open his own restaurant. Though earlier recipes for thin-fried potatoes existed, Crum’s creation at Moon’s Lake House brought the snack national fame.
From Restaurants to Stores
In 1895, Ohio entrepreneur William Tappenden began mass-producing chips and delivering them in barrels, making them available outside restaurants. Later, Laura Scudder revolutionized chips in 1926 by introducing wax-paper packaging to maintain freshness.
A National Craze
By the 1930s, potato chips were being sold nationwide, with Lay’s becoming the first national brand in 1961. Today, Americans consume 1.85 billion pounds of chips annually, and the market continues to evolve with new flavors and healthier options. The humble potato chip remains one of the most beloved snacks worldwide.
In 1853, chef George Crum in Saratoga Springs, New York, created potato chips accidentally. When Cornelius Vanderbilt complained about thick fries, Crum sliced potatoes thin, fried them crisp, and sent them out as a joke. To his surprise, Vanderbilt loved them. pic.twitter.com/MyzWws9plG
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