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14 Foods That Were Created Totally By Accident

The article titled "14 Foods That Were Created Totally by Accident" from Yahoo Lifestyle delves into the fascinating origins of various popular foods and drinks, revealing that many of these were discovered by chance rather than through deliberate culinary experimentation. The piece, written by Amanda McCoy, highlights how serendipity played a significant role in the creation of these now-iconic items, ranging from snacks to beverages.

The first food mentioned is the potato chip. In 1853, a chef named George Crum at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, was frustrated by a customer who kept sending back his fried potatoes for being too thick and soggy. In a fit of pique, Crum sliced the potatoes as thin as possible, fried them until they were crisp, and seasoned them heavily with salt. To his surprise, the customer loved them, and thus, the potato chip was born. This accidental creation has since become a staple snack worldwide.

Next, the article discusses the origin of the Popsicle. In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson left a mixture of powdered soda and water with a stirring stick in it outside on a cold night. The next morning, he discovered that the mixture had frozen around the stick, creating a tasty frozen treat. Epperson initially called it the "Epsicle," but his children later renamed it the Popsicle, which became a beloved summer treat.

The third accidental food creation is the sandwich. The story goes that in 1762, John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, was too engrossed in a gambling game to leave the table for a meal. He asked for some meat to be placed between two slices of bread so he could eat with one hand and continue playing. This simple request led to the creation of the sandwich, a versatile and convenient meal option that has countless variations today.

The article then moves on to the story of Worcestershire sauce. In the early 19th century, Lord Sandys, a nobleman returning from India, commissioned two chemists, John Lea and William Perrins, to recreate a sauce he had enjoyed abroad. The chemists' initial attempt was a failure, and they stored the batch in their cellar. Months later, they discovered that the sauce had fermented and developed a rich flavor. They bottled and sold it as Worcestershire sauce, which became a popular condiment.

Another accidental creation is the chocolate chip cookie. In 1930, Ruth Wakefield, the owner of the Toll House Inn in Massachusetts, was making chocolate cookies when she ran out of baker's chocolate. She substituted it with broken pieces of a Nestlé semi-sweet chocolate bar, expecting the chocolate to melt and spread throughout the dough. Instead, the chocolate pieces retained their shape, creating the first chocolate chip cookies. This happy accident led to a partnership with Nestlé and the widespread popularity of the cookie.

The article also discusses the origin of the Caesar salad. In 1924, Italian-American restaurateur Caesar Cardini was running low on ingredients at his restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, during a busy Fourth of July weekend. He improvised with what he had on hand—romaine lettuce, garlic, croutons, Parmesan cheese, boiled eggs, olive oil, and Worcestershire sauce—and tossed it all together at the table. The result was the Caesar salad, which became a classic dish.

Another accidental food is the Slurpee. In the late 1950s, Omar Knedlik, the owner of a Dairy Queen in Kansas, had a broken soda fountain machine that could only dispense partially frozen drinks. Customers loved the slushy texture, so Knedlik started selling the drinks and eventually partnered with 7-Eleven to create the Slurpee, a popular frozen beverage.

The article also mentions the creation of the Slinky. In 1943, naval engineer Richard James was working on springs to keep sensitive instruments steady on ships. When one of the springs fell off a shelf and "walked" across the floor, James saw the potential for a toy. He and his wife Betty developed the Slinky, which became a beloved children's toy.

Another accidental creation is the Corn Flakes cereal. In 1898, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg and his brother Will Keith Kellogg were experimenting with ways to improve the diet of patients at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. They left a batch of cooked wheat to sit out, and it became stale. When they rolled it out and baked it, it formed flakes. They later used corn to create Corn Flakes, which became a popular breakfast cereal.

The article also discusses the origin of the ice cream cone. At the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, ice cream vendor Arnold Fornachou ran out of dishes to serve his ice cream. Nearby, Syrian concessionaire Ernest Hamwi was selling a Middle Eastern pastry called zalabia. Hamwi rolled one of his waffles into a cone shape, and Fornachou used it to serve his ice cream. This impromptu solution led to the creation of the ice cream cone, a popular way to enjoy ice cream.

Another accidental food is the Cheeto. In the 1940s, a machine at the Frito Company was malfunctioning and extruding cornmeal into long, curly shapes instead of the intended flat chips. The company decided to season and sell the new shape, creating the Cheeto, which became a popular snack.

The article also mentions the creation of the Tater Tot. In the 1950s, brothers Nephi and Golden Grigg were looking for a way to use leftover potato scraps at their Ore-Ida potato processing plant. They ground the scraps, mixed them with flour and seasonings, and extruded them into small cylinders. The result was the Tater Tot, which became a popular side dish.

Another accidental creation is the Post-It Note. In 1968, 3M scientist Spencer Silver was trying to develop a strong adhesive but ended up with a weak, reusable one. Years later, his colleague Art Fry used the adhesive to create a bookmark that wouldn't fall out of his hymnbook. This led to the development of the Post-It Note, a ubiquitous office supply.

The article also discusses the origin of the microwave oven. In 1945, Percy Spencer, an engineer at Raytheon, was working on radar technology when he noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. He realized that the microwaves from the radar had caused the melting and experimented with other foods, leading to the creation of the microwave oven, a staple in modern kitchens.

Finally, the article mentions the creation of the pacemaker. In 1957, engineer Wilson Greatbatch was working on a heart rhythm recorder when he accidentally installed the wrong resistor, causing the device to emit electrical pulses at a rate similar to the human heartbeat. This led to the development of the pacemaker, a life-saving medical device.

In conclusion, the article highlights the role of serendipity in the creation of many popular foods, snacks, and inventions. From the humble potato chip to the life-saving pacemaker, these accidental discoveries have had a significant impact on our daily lives and culinary culture. The stories behind these creations remind us that sometimes, the most unexpected events can lead to the most delightful and useful outcomes.

Read the Full Chowhound Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/14-foods-were-created-totally-141500674.html ]