Did you know that early in the history of movie theaters that food items, especially popcorn were not allowed in the building? According to the Smithsonian – “when movie theaters first became widely popular in the late 1920s, popcorn vendors began selling to crowds outside theaters just as they would at other events — to the ire of movie theater owners. Early movie theaters tried to convey a refined image, carpeting their lobbies with expensive rugs to replicate the luxurious feel of traditional theaters. Owners worried that concessions, and the accompanying trash, would jeopardize their image.”
Charles Cretors invented the portable popping machine, originally for roasting peanuts but was modified to pop popcorn – “Vendors carried around Cretors' machine and used it to mass-produce large batches of popcorn, which they sold to crowds at sporting events and festivals.”
Today, the inventor of the popcorn machine’s delicious legacy lives on and his company, C. Cretors & Company in Wood Dale, Illinois is still owned by the Cretors family. C. Cretors & Company still holds the oldest active Underwriters Laboratories number for operating electrical machinery and the company has been featured on the popular show “Made in America.” They also hold a place in the Guinness World Records for the largest popcorn machine ever made.
But back to popcorn in theaters...
Theaters managers tried to keep patrons from bringing snacks in off the street, but it was a losing battle, according to the New York Times. The popularity of movie theater popcorn only continued to increase through World War II, when sugar rations made other snacks, like candy and soda, scarce. By 1945, movie theaters served more than half of the popcorn consumed in America.
Thursday, January 19, is National Popcorn Day!
Click here to download promotional graphics.
