When you walk through the door of the movie theater, there's nothing quite like the smell of hot, buttered popcorn. Popcorn is affordable and easy to make, but how and why did it become the default movie theater snack? Here’s what you should know about the history of this delicious snack.

Early History

In the 1800s, popcorn began to grow in popularity with mobile carts selling the inexpensive snack on streets of cities across the country. Early movie theaters, however, catered to the well-educated crowd who could read the subtitles of the silent shows. The theaters featured beautiful furnishings and rugs, and no one wanted popcorn stomped into the carpet or the distraction of concession sales.

The Talkies

Things changed drastically when the talkies came out in 1927. Movie theaters no longer had to rely on just the literate crowd for business. People of all economic classes flocked to the movies. By 1930, attendance in movie theaters in the United States had reached 90 million per week. At this time, no movie theaters had popcorn machines inside, but enterprising vendors began selling right outside the buildings. It was a profitable business model as popcorn kernels were so inexpensive.

Economics

During the Great Depression, all businesses were struggling to stay afloat. But theatergoers still wanted affordable entertainment and snacks, so movie theater owners obliged and began to sell popcorn in the theaters themselves. It was a boom for business, and with its high profit margin, popcorn continues to be the go-to snack in movie theaters to this day. 

For those living in Fremont County, WY, Cracker Box Caramel Pop is the place to go for gourmet popcorn. With 60-year-old recipes and a variety of flavors, you'll have plenty of delicious options to choose from for a homemade movie night. Call (307) 335-7020 today or visit their website for information about picking up popcorn locally or ordering gifts to be shipped to friends and family.