August 24, 1853 - The First Potato Chip

On this day in engineering history, George "Speck" Crum invented the potato chip. While working as the head chef at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, George Crum grew frustrated when a customer complained that his french fries were "too thick and soggy" and "not salty enough". In response, Crum sliced the next batch of potatos so thin that they couldn't be eaten with a fork. When the patron approved, a snack food was born. According to local legend, that patron was Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and railroad magnate who summered in northern New York.

George Crum's creation soon became a regular menu item at Cary Moon's Lakehouse. Known as "Saratoga Chips", they were later popularized at restaurants throughout neighboring New England. In 1910, Daniel W. Mikesell of Dayton, Ohio began to mass-produce his own potato chips for home consumption. At first, Mike-sell's Potato Chip Company stored its products in barrels or tins; however, the chips at the bottom often became stale and damp. Thanks to Laura Scudder, however, the airtight sealed bag was born. By ironing two pieces of wax paper together, the former nurse developed the first packaging that kept potato chips fresh until opened.

Snack food innovation continued during the twentieth century. In 1934, an Akron, Ohio food processor named K.T. Salem became the first to distribute chips in glassine wax paper bags. Then, during the 1950s, Joe Murphy of Ireland's Tayto company developed a technology to add seasoning. After some trial and error, Murphy produced the world's first seasoned potato chips: Cheese and Onion, and Salt 'n' Vinegar. Later, major U.S. potato chip manufacturers such as Lay's negotiated the rights to use Joe "Spud" Murphy's technology. Today, chips are packaged in plastic bags, with nitrogen gas blown in prior to sealing to lengthen shelf life, and provide protection against crushing.

Although George Crum shares a place in history with these other inventors, the African-American chef may be the only one with his own children's book. In George Crum and the Saratoga Chip, Gaylia Taylor and Frank Morrison describe how the boy who was once picked on because of the color of his skin made a place for himself in the history of food.

Resource:

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Potato+chips

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/George+Crum

http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Laura+Scudder