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Popcorn is not a modern invention created for movie theaters. Archaeologists have found evidence that ancient civilizations in the Americas ate popcorn thousands of years ago. People used special types of corn that could expand when heated. Later, popcorn became strongly connected with cinemas because it was affordable and easy to prepare.
Today, it is one of the most recognizable snack foods worldwide. A snack enjoyed during movies has a much older history than many people realize.
© Smithsonian Institution