The Food That Built America Snack Sized Season 1 Episode 2 Special Delivery

In the second episode of The Food That Built America Snack Sized Season 1, titled Special Delivery, viewers are taken on a journey through the story behind one of the most popular snack foods in the United States - pretzels.

The episode starts off with the introduction of Julius Sturgis, who is widely credited with starting the pretzel revolution in America. Sturgis, who was a baker by trade, had immigrated to Pennsylvania with his family in the mid-18th century and he quickly realized that there was a demand for pretzels in the area. He started experimenting with different recipes and techniques until he finally perfected the art of pretzel making.

The show then moves on to the story of the Frito Company, whose founder, Charles Doolin, was inspired by the crunchy texture of pretzels to create his own snack food. Doolin experimented with different recipes until he finally came up with the perfect combination of ingredients that would eventually become Fritos.

Next, the episode explores how pretzels and Fritos became incredibly popular during the Depression era, when people were looking for affordable and filling snack foods to help them through tough times. Both products quickly became staples in American households, and their popularity only grew over the years.

The episode also delves into the role that technology played in the success of these snack foods. Early pretzel makers had to rely on manual labor to shape the dough into the distinctive pretzel shape, but the invention of machines like the pretzel twister and the pretzel water wheel allowed for mass production of pretzels. Similarly, the Frito Company's development of new technologies allowed them to increase production and distribution, eventually leading to their products being sold across the country.

Throughout the episode, viewers also get a glimpse of the creative marketing tactics that were employed to promote these snack foods. From catchy jingles to clever packaging designs, companies like Julius Sturgis, Frito, and others were able to capture the attention of consumers and cement their place in American culture.

Overall, Special Delivery is an eye-opening look at the history behind two iconic American snack foods and how they helped shape the country's culinary landscape. Through expert interviews, archival footage, and engaging storytelling, viewers are sure to come away with a newfound appreciation for pretzels and Fritos, as well as an understanding of the innovation and marketing that fueled their success.