Most Popular Junk Foods In The 20th Century

I believe in America. America has made my fortune. And I raised my diet in the American fashion. I ate its savory treats, its sweet ones. And it turns out that I was engaging in a time-honored tradition in the United States. Weird History Food’s video shows how there’s been junk food in the U.S. for a very long time, and the 20th century ushered in decade after decade of snack innovations. It’s interesting to see how these inventions start to slow down as the 2000s loom, like there were only so many ways to fuck around with gelatin, chocolate, nuts, and baked goods made to withstand the nuclear holocaust.

There are also various twists and turns in this 16-minute presentation, including reveals that many things we think of as knockoffs were actually the original version. Because the only thing more American than diabetic foodstuffs is the power of marketing. The video’s summary reads:

Weird History Food is taking you on a Junk Food trip, through each decade, to see what were the most popular foods and snacks. The most impressive aspect of junk food developed throughout the 20th century is just how many of the inventions stuck around.

Before the Industrial Revolution, most of what we would now consider “junk food” was made at home on a small scale. While the invention of the steel mill and steam power was certainly useful and revolutionary, the more whimsical effects of the societal overhaul are worthy of analysis as well. The developments in food science expanded while mass production grew more sophisticated, enabling the American public to experience a wide array of new snacks.

If you enjoy this culinary quest through time and the confectionary clarity it brings, then I strongly suggest you subscribe to Weird History Food’s YouTube channel and