ClassX Video Lessons How did eating popcorn become a custom at movie theaters? – Big Questions – (Ep. 213)
Hey there! Have you ever wondered why we munch on popcorn at the movies? It’s a pretty interesting story, so let’s dive in and find out how this tasty tradition began!
Popcorn has been a popular snack in the United States since the 19th century. It was often found at fun places like fairs and circuses because it was easy to make and carry around. In 1885, the first steam-powered popcorn maker was invented, making it even easier to pop those delicious kernels. But back then, eating popcorn at the movies wasn’t a thing yet because there weren’t many movie theaters around.
By 1907, there were about 5,000 Nickelodeon theaters in the U.S. These were small, storefront-sized places where you could watch short films for just 5 cents. Food vendors would often set up their stands near these theaters, so grabbing a snack was part of the movie-going experience. However, this changed when bigger and fancier theaters started popping up in the 1920s.
The new, upscale theaters wanted to keep things clean and classy. They had signs saying “no food allowed” and didn’t sell snacks inside. These theaters were inspired by traditional theaters and often featured fancy decorations like antique chandeliers and marble columns. They wanted to maintain a certain atmosphere, so popcorn wasn’t welcome just yet.
In the 1930s, things started to change. Some theater owners began allowing food vendors to set up stands inside or right outside their theaters. One reason for this was that movies now had sound, so eating wouldn’t be as distracting. Another big reason was the Great Depression. People could afford to see a movie and spend a little extra on a bag of popcorn, which cost just 5 to 10 cents. Theater owners also made money by charging vendors a daily fee to sell popcorn.
One of the first popcorn vendors in movie theaters was a woman named Julia Braden, known as “the popcorn gal.” She started with a small stand at the Lynnwood Theater in Kansas City and expanded her business to four theaters by the early 1930s. She was making about $4,400 a year, which would be around $336,000 today!
During the Great Depression, many theaters struggled to stay open, but popcorn helped them survive. They lowered ticket prices and made more money from selling snacks. This is how the tradition of eating popcorn at the movies was born!
So, next time you enjoy a buttery bag of popcorn at the theater, you’ll know the story behind this delicious custom. If you have any other big questions, feel free to ask!
Research the history of popcorn and its journey to becoming a movie theater staple. Create a timeline that highlights key events, such as the invention of the steam-powered popcorn maker and the role of Julia Braden. Use images and short descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
Pair up with a classmate and role-play a conversation between a theater owner and a popcorn vendor in the 1930s. Discuss the pros and cons of selling popcorn in theaters. Consider factors like theater ambiance, customer satisfaction, and financial benefits. Present your role-play to the class.
Calculate how much money theater owners and popcorn vendors made during the Great Depression. Use historical prices and compare them to today’s values. Discuss how popcorn sales helped theaters survive financially during tough economic times.
Create an advertisement for popcorn in the 1930s, aimed at moviegoers. Use persuasive language and creative visuals to highlight why popcorn is the perfect movie snack. Share your ad with the class and explain your design choices.
Conduct a popcorn taste test with different flavors and brands. Survey your classmates to find out their favorite type of popcorn. Analyze the results and discuss how flavor preferences might influence popcorn sales at movie theaters.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hi, I’m Craig. I eat popcorn like this, and this is a Mental Floss video. Today, I’m going to answer Bradley Stein’s big question: How did eating popcorn become a custom at movie theaters?
Nowadays, movie theaters depend on popcorn; they earn about 85% of their profits and 40% of their total revenue from concessions. But that wasn’t always the case. Today, I’m going to tell you how the tradition got started.
Popcorn as a snack gained popularity in the U.S. during the 19th century. It quickly became associated with places where it was sold, like fairs and circuses. It was easy to make and transport for these events. The first steam-powered popcorn maker was invented in 1885. Eating popcorn in movie theaters, on the other hand, wasn’t a custom yet, probably because there weren’t many movie theaters at that time.
In 1907, there were around 5,000 Nickelodeon theaters in the U.S., which were often small spaces the size of a storefront that showed moving pictures for 5 cents. It became common for food vendors to set up shop near these theaters, so food was initially part of the movie-going experience. However, that changed when larger, more upscale movie theaters emerged in the 1920s.
These theaters typically had signs posted saying “no food allowed,” and they didn’t sell food either. This was likely because the owners didn’t want to deal with messes in their elegant venues, and they also wanted to maintain a certain atmosphere. Plus, movie theaters were inspired by actual theaters rather than places like the circus, and some of them cost millions to build. It wasn’t uncommon for them to have antique chandeliers, marble columns, and expensive carpets.
By the 1930s, some theater owners began allowing vendors to keep food stands either inside or directly outside. One factor that probably helped convince them to do this was that movies now had sound, so eating would no longer be a loud distraction. Another significant factor was the Great Depression; people could afford to see a movie and spend 5 to 10 cents on a bag of popcorn. Theater owners also benefited financially from having popcorn vendors because the vendors paid them a daily fee. Even with this fee, vendors earned a lot of money quickly.
One of the earliest movie theater popcorn vendors was a woman named Julia Braden, known as “the popcorn gal.” She first started a little stand at the Lynnwood Theater in Kansas City. By the early 1930s, she had expanded her business to four theaters and started earning $4,400 annually, which is about $336,000 today.
As I mentioned earlier, this was the Great Depression, so not everyone was profiting like Julia Braden. Some movie theaters started closing, but many were able to stay open thanks to popcorn. They lowered the cost of admission and started earning more through their own concession stands, and so a custom was born.
Thanks for watching this Mental Floss video, which was made with the help of all of these popped kernels. If you have a big question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it below in the comments. I’ll see you next week!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Popcorn – A type of corn that expands and puffs up when heated, often eaten as a snack during movies. – During the Great Depression, popcorn became a popular and affordable treat at movie theaters.
Theaters – Buildings or outdoor areas where plays, movies, or other performances are presented. – In the early 20th century, theaters became a central part of American social life, especially with the rise of silent films.
Snack – A small amount of food eaten between meals, often for enjoyment rather than nutrition. – Popcorn became a common snack sold by vendors outside theaters in the 1930s.
Tradition – A long-established custom or belief passed down from generation to generation. – Watching movies on Friday nights became a family tradition for many during the 20th century.
Movies – Motion pictures; films that are shown in theaters or on television. – The invention of sound in movies during the 1920s revolutionized the film industry.
Vendors – People or companies that sell goods or services, often in public places. – Street vendors selling snacks like popcorn became a common sight outside movie theaters.
Depression – A severe worldwide economic downturn that took place during the 1930s, affecting many countries. – The Great Depression led to widespread unemployment and poverty, but affordable entertainment like movies remained popular.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about the history of cinema helps us understand how movies have influenced society.
Experience – The knowledge or skill acquired by observing, encountering, or undergoing events. – Watching a movie in a grand theater was a new experience for many people in the early 1900s.
Century – A period of one hundred years. – The 20th century saw significant changes in technology, including the development of the film industry.
