The History of Popcorn

Popcorn comes from a tall grass called teosinte. Indigenous people in Mexico started growing it 9,000 years ago. When popcorn kernels are heated, the water inside turns into steam and makes the kernel pop. In the 1800s, people started using wire baskets to pop corn over a fire. The first popcorn machine was shown at a fair in 1893. At first, movie theaters didn't want to sell popcorn. But during a time when many people didn't have much money, popcorn was a cheap treat. So theaters started selling it. Now, popcorn makes up almost half of all the money movie theaters make.