Who Made the Potato Chips: The True Origin Story

George Crum, a Native American and African American chef working at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, is traditionally credited with inventing potato chips in 1853. While historical records contain some debate, Crum's creation of ultra-thin fried potatoes as a response to a dissatisfied customer remains the most widely accepted origin story of this beloved snack.

Have you ever wondered about the crispy, salty treat that's become a global favorite? The story of who made the potato chips takes us back to a summer day in 1853 at an upscale restaurant in upstate New York. What began as a chef's frustrated response to a picky diner transformed into one of America's most enduring snack foods. Understanding the true origin of potato chips reveals not just a culinary accident, but a fascinating slice of American social history involving race, class, and innovation.

The Saratoga Springs Story: How Potato Chips Were Born

According to the most popular account, George Crum (born George Speck) was working as a chef at Moon's Lake House when a particularly demanding customer—often identified as railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt—kept sending back his French fries, complaining they were too thick and soggy. In a moment of culinary rebellion, Crum decided to slice potatoes paper-thin, fry them until crisp, and heavily salt them, expecting the customer to reject this extreme version. To Crum's surprise, the customer loved them, and "Saratoga Chips" were born.

This origin story first appeared in print in 1903 in the Saratogian newspaper and gained wider circulation through a 1920s advertising campaign by the Anheuser-Busch company. While some details have been romanticized over time, historical evidence supports that George Crum did create and serve what we now recognize as potato chips at his restaurant.

Historical Evidence: Separating Fact from Folklore

While the Moon's Lake House story dominates popular understanding, food historians have uncovered earlier references to fried potato slices. A recipe for "potatoes cut into chips" appeared in Modern Cookery for Private Families by English chef Eliza Acton in 1843—ten years before Crum's alleged invention. However, these "chips" referred to what Americans call French fries, not the thin, crisp snack we know today.

Claimed Origin	Supporting Evidence	Historical Plausibility
George Crum (1853)	Newspaper accounts from 1903; Crum's own restaurant serving "Saratoga Chips" by 1855; Family oral history	High - Most documented and widely accepted origin
Native American Tradition	Anecdotal accounts of indigenous peoples frying thin potato slices; No contemporary documentation	Medium - Possible precursor but no direct evidence linking to modern chips
European Origins	1817 reference to "potatoes fried in slices and onions" in The Cook's Oracle; 1843 recipe for potato "chips"	Low - References describe thicker fried potatoes, not crisp chips

The strongest evidence for Crum's invention comes from multiple contemporary sources. By 1855, Crum had opened his own restaurant, Crum's House, where "Saratoga Chips" were a featured item. Newspaper advertisements from the 1860s and 1870s specifically mention these thin fried potatoes as a specialty. Additionally, Crum's sister, Catherine Wicks, reportedly helped popularize the snack by packing them in metal containers to preserve their crispness—a precursor to modern packaging.

The Evolution of a Snack Food Phenomenon

For decades, potato chips remained a regional specialty, prepared fresh in restaurants and sold in barrels or paper bags. The transformation from restaurant novelty to mass-produced snack food came in the 1920s when entrepreneurs began commercially packaging chips. Laura Scudder of Monterey Park, California, pioneered the wax paper bag in 1926, while Herman Lay launched the first nationally distributed brand in the 1930s.

The timeline of potato chip commercialization reveals key innovations that made the snack accessible worldwide:

• 1853: George Crum creates the first potato chips at Moon's Lake House
• 1880s: Chips begin appearing in general stores, often sold from glass barrels
• 1920: The first potato chip factory opens in New York
• 1926: Laura Scudder introduces wax paper packaging to maintain crispness
• 1932: Herman Lay begins selling chips door-to-door in the South
• 1950s: Flavored chips (like barbecue and sour cream & onion) emerge
• 1960s: Vacuum-sealed bags replace wax paper, extending shelf life

Why the George Crum Story Endures

Despite competing claims, the George Crum narrative has persisted for good reason. As a Native American and African American chef in the mid-19th century, Crum's success story represents an important chapter in American culinary history that was often overlooked. His invention occurred during a time when people of color faced significant barriers in the restaurant industry, making his entrepreneurial success particularly noteworthy.

Food historians from the Smithsonian Institution have verified that Crum's House restaurant did serve "Saratoga Chips" as early as 1855, with newspaper advertisements confirming their popularity. The New York State Historic Preservation Office recognizes Crum's contribution, noting that "the crisp, thin fried potatoes became so popular that they were soon being sold in barrels throughout the region."

While we may never know with absolute certainty whether Crum was the very first person to create thin fried potatoes, he was undoubtedly the first to popularize them as a distinct food item, giving them the name "Saratoga Chips" and establishing them as a commercial product. His creation sparked a snack food revolution that continues to evolve today, with the global potato chip market now valued at over $30 billion annually.

Frequently Asked Questions About Potato Chip Origins

Who is officially recognized as the inventor of potato chips?

George Crum, a chef of Native American and African American heritage working at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, is officially recognized as the inventor of potato chips in 1853. Historical records, newspaper accounts, and family documentation support this claim, though some earlier references to fried potato slices exist.

Were potato chips invented accidentally?

Yes, according to the most accepted historical account, potato chips were invented accidentally. Chef George Crum created them in response to a customer who repeatedly sent back French fries, complaining they were too thick. In frustration, Crum sliced potatoes extremely thin, fried them until crisp, and added extra salt, expecting the customer to reject them. Instead, the customer loved them, creating an instant sensation.

When did potato chips become commercially available?

Potato chips began as a restaurant specialty in the 1850s but didn't become commercially available until the early 20th century. The first potato chip factory opened in New York around 1920. Laura Scudder introduced the wax paper bag in 1926 to maintain crispness, and Herman Lay began selling chips door-to-door in the South in 1932, launching the first nationally distributed brand.

Why are they called potato chips instead of crisps?

The term 'chips' originated in America from the method of preparation—chipping or slicing potatoes very thin. In Britain and many Commonwealth countries, the same snack is called 'crisps' because of their crispy texture. The different terminology reflects regional language variations that developed as the snack spread globally.

Did George Crum profit from inventing potato chips?

George Crum did profit from his invention by featuring 'Saratoga Chips' at his own restaurant, Crum's House, which he opened in 1860. However, he never patented the concept, so he didn't receive royalties as the snack became commercially produced decades later. His restaurant success allowed him to purchase 30 acres of land, where he built a large house and became a respected community figure in Malta, New York.