# Why do we snack on popcorn at the movies? - Andrew Smith

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ted-ed-7859430/why-do-we-snack-on-popcorn-at-the-movies-andrew-smith
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/ted-ed-7859430/why-do-we-snack-on-popcorn-at-the-movies-andrew-smith.md
Podcast: [TED-Ed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/ted-ed-7859430)
Published: 2026-07-18T01:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/VG9226728526.mp3
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/VG9226728526.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ted-ed-7859430/episodes/why-do-we-snack-on-popcorn-at-the-movies-andrew-smith
Duration seconds: 484

## Resource

Trace the history of popcorn, from its origins in the Americas to its explosion of popularity in the 20th century.--Soft percussion and a toasty scent mark the violent transformation of tough seeds into cloud-like puffs. This is the almost magical process of popcorn-making. Dozens of kinds of popcorn are now grown in the US, with different strains assuming distinctive shapes when their kernels explode. So, how did we actually end up with this whimsical food? Andrew Smith traces the history of popcorn.Lesson by Andrew Smith, directed by Mitchelle Tamariz.This video made possible in collaboration with Marriott HotelsLearn more about how TED-Ed partnerships work: https://bit.ly/TEDEdPartnersSupport Our Non-Profit Mission----------------------------------------------Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreonCheck out our merch: http://bit.ly/TEDEDShop----------------------------------------------Connect With Us----------------------------------------------Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletterFollow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebookFind us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitterPeep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram----------------------------------------------Keep Learning----------------------------------------------View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-we-eat-popcorn-at-the-movies-andrew-smithDig deeper with additional resources: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-do-we-eat-popcorn-at-the-movies-andrew-smith#digdeeperAnimator's website: https://www.mitchelletamariz.comMusic: https://www.campstudio.co----------------------------------------------Thank you so much to our patrons for your support! Without you this video would not be possible! Vector-Dopamine math, Jasper Song, Giorgio Bugnatelli, Chardon, Eddy Troche…

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