By: Ruihao Rick Shan

Crunch! The sound of a potato chip breaking under the pressure of a bite is an iconic moment in snack history. But who would have thought this crispy delight was born out of spite? The story of the potato chip’s invention is not just about culinary creativity but also a tale of culinary rebellion. One chef’s frustration led to a snack that would become beloved around the world.

The inventor was George Speck, a 19th-century chef of Black and Indigenous descent. Later he changed his last name to Crum, as it was the name his father used in his career as a jockey. Crum was a gifted cook who made a name for himself at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs.

Legend has it that one day in 1853, the railroad and shipping tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt went to the restaurant and ordered fried potatoes. He repeatedly sent the fried potatoes back to the kitchen, saying they were too thick and soft.

Crum’s solution to this was to slice the potatoes as thinly as possible and then fry them in oil until they were crispy. Surprisingly, Vanderbilt loved the crisps. Soon, other customers began to order Crum’s “Saratoga Chips”.

In 1860, Crum opened his own restaurant called “Crumb’s House” near Saratoga Lake. The restaurant placed a basket of potato chips on every table. In 1895, William Tappendonby sold the first chips in grocery stores under the company name “Saratoga Chips”.

In the end, George Crum turned a moment of frustration into a culinary sensation. His thinly sliced, crispy potato chips, born out of a customer’s complaint, became a beloved snack enjoyed worldwide. Crum’s innovation and creativity continue to influence food culture to this day, reminding us that great ideas can come from unexpected places.