Twinkies Last Forever and Other Junk Food Myths

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The Invention of the Potato Chip

The potato chip's origin story is much debated, especially in Saratoga Springs, NY, where it was allegedly created. According to the myth, in the summer of 1853 Cornelius Vanderbilt was vacationing Upstate at Moon's Lake House. The chef George Crum prepared a game bird with a side of fries, but Vanderbilt sent the dish back, saying that the fries were too thick. Crum decided to teach him a lesson and sliced paper-thin pieces of potatoes and fried them. They turned out to be a smash hit, and the owner Harriet Moon declared them the new house specialty. However, a closer look at times and dates makes this story impossible. For instance, Cornelius Vanderbilt wasn't even in the country that summer, the Moons didn't own the place until 1854, and there are already reports of potato chip-like snacks from years before. Oh well. Guess that one will remain a mystery. 

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