Popcorn was a popular snack in the 1920s (and it became even more popular during the depression years of the 1930s since it was an inexpensive snack). Technology, and new processing techniques, made it easier to make popcorn than it had been earlier in the 20th century. A 1926 Jolly Time Pop Corn advertisement highlighted that it was guaranteed to pop.
The American Pop Corn Company, which makes Jolly Time, began selling popcorn in 1914. In 1924, the company began packaging popcorn in metal cans. Popcorn pops best when it contains approximately 14-15% moisture. If it too moist or too dry, it does not pop well. The metal cans helped ensure freshness and a consistent moisture – and the company began advertising that its popcorn was guaranteed to pop. Consumers also liked that they could just buy popcorn that was ready to pop.
Historically, many people in the U.S. lived on farms and raised a little popcorn. People planted popcorn in the spring. In the fall. after the corn husks and stalks turned brown and felt dry, the popcorn was harvested by twisting or breaking the ears off the stalks and then pulling the husks away from the corn, but not removing the husks. The husks of several ears were tied together to enable them to be hung to dry in a shed or other well-ventilated, covered area.
After the ears dried for a month or so, the husks were removed and the popcorn was shelled. It was shelled by pushing the kernels on the ears sideways so they would separate from the cob. This could either be done by using fingers or a corn husking tool that was strapped on a person’s hand. After the first few kernels were removed from each ear, it was easier to break the remaining ones off. The popcorn kernels were then stored in a glass jar (and they hopefully had the right amount of moisture to successfully pop).
Whew, what a lot of work! It’s no wonder that packaged popcorn quickly became popular. (And, I can’t help thinking about how technology has continued to change the way popcorn is made and eaten.)
