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Chips and Pop Culture: How Sliced Potatoes Changed the Snack Industry



Having appeared in their modern form about 100 years ago, chips today are one of the favorite snacks of millions of people worldwide. Whether at a general celebration, a party, or a simple evening at home in front of the TV — chips fit naturally into every situation. How did simple sliced potatoes become a snack icon for millions across the globe?

In the Right Place at the Right Time



Although the idea of thinly baked potatoes is as old as time and it’s unclear who exactly was the original creator, the phenomenon is generally traced back to the 20th century. Nowadays, we can name brands like Lay's, Pringles, and many others. Back then, chips were made on a small scale and sold from barrels.

At the same time, the emergence of the first films and their wide availability gave rise to many new cultural phenomena. People could gather and watch a movie similarly to how they previously attended theaters or operas. Unlike the quiet opera, here you could bring your own food. Chips became an excellent option for such viewings.

A Litmus Test of Pop Culture





Since the snack first took its completed form, it has repeatedly reflected societal changes.

For example, when chips “moved” to another continent, tastes changed according to consumer preferences. In 1961, Lay’s featured a popular actor in their advertising to attract new customers. At the same time, new brands appeared with “secret” recipes, flavors, and packaging. Pringles, for example, came in uniform shapes filling the entire package, convenient for travel or hiking. Vending machines for chips appeared, and they started being offered on airplanes, at checkouts, kiosks, and sports events.

Actors increasingly ate this snack while watching films and socializing, and since the 1980s chips have become a staple in every grocery basket. In the popular American TV show Friends, chips are almost always on the main characters’ table. If Hollywood became synonymous with quality, chips became synonymous with snacks.

The 21st Century and Memes


The 21st century brought many memes about chips. When there’s only one chip left in a bag, a debate arises over who will get it, as the “lucky one” is often forced to throw away the bag. Discussions about how much air is in the bag and why, dozens of ways to open it without getting your hands dirty — memes about chips have been created and continue to be widespread.

Variety of Flavors



The world offers not only memes but also vast freedom. Today, you can choose chips of almost any flavor and buy them almost anywhere. Many prefer to order online, choosing both trusted and new platforms. Wherever you buy chips, they are now more than just a product — and it remains to be seen whether this will change in the future.

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