Why did Illinois most likely name popcorn the official snack food of the state?
A. Colonial Americans served popcorn for
breakfast.
B. Charles Cretors ate more popcorn than
anyone in history.
C. The popcorn machine was invented in
Chicago, Illinois.
D. Popcorn can be used for more than just
food. Popcorn is a delicious snack that has been around for hundreds of years. Native Americans discovered that some kinds of corn could turn into popcorn. They heated the kernels of corn over an open fire until they popped. They used the kernels not only for food, but also for jewelry and decoration. Some Native Americans believed that an angry spirit lived inside each kernel of corn. When the kernels popped, they believed the spirit was escaping with a puff of steam.

In fact, each kernel contains a drop of water. When the kernels are heated, the water inside expands. This causes the kernel to explode, flipping inside out. It cools right away and forms the shape we know and love to eat.

Colonial Americans saw Native Americans pop popcorn and decided they would do the same. They would put the kernels on a sheet in their fireplaces to make the popcorn. In Colonial America, popcorn was often served in a bowl with cream and sugar for breakfast. Today, this seems like a peculiar way to eat popcorn!

In 1885, a man in Chicago, Illinois, named Charles Cretors invented a machine. The machine used hot oil to pop popcorn. He took his popcorn machine to a public event in 1893 to sell bags of hot buttered popcorn. The smell of freshly popped popcorn drew a lot of people to Charles Cretors’ wagon. He sold many models of his machine that day, and popcorn soon became a popular snack at fairs, carnivals, and movies. The state of Illinois even named popcorn the official snack food of the state!