Weird History Food Season 1, Episode 18: The Real Willy Wonka | The Food Scientist Behind Your Favorite Junk Food

1

Who Was the Real Colonel Sanders?

Most folks know that Colonel Harland Sanders is the man who created KFC – and still resides on their buckets – but the real Colonel Sanders got up to a lot more than just frying chicken Kentucky-style. Who was Harland Sanders? In short, he was less “finger-lickin' good” and more butt-kickin’ badass.

15 min

2

The Dark and Seedy Origins of Wonder Bread

Let's dive into the History of Wonder Bread. Until the mid-19th century, your average loaf of bread was grainy, heavy, and dark. With innovations like mechanical slicers and refined flour, however, bread became white, fluffy, and shaped into the perfect portions to make a sandwich. The "best thing since sliced bread" hasn't always meant much, however, and the role of bread in social and political history is much more complex than a simple bread recipe. The Romans were able to distract the masses from social unrest by making sure there was plenty of "bread and circuses."

13 min

3

Zima Was Popular in the 90s -- Until People Tasted It

Let's take a Weird History Food journey to learn about Zima. People who grew up in the 1990s may feel some nostalgia when thinking about Surge, Shark Bites, or other discontinued foods from the '90s - and those of a certain age will remember Zima. The clear malt beverage was a huge hit when it debuted in 1993, but it wasn't long before Zima became a pop-culture punchline.

12 min

4

Chuck E. Cheese's Origin Story Is Sadder Than You Remember

Weird History Food is taking you back to relive Chuck E. Cheese - The real-life story of Chuck E. Cheese, the global pizza franchise, is one of hubris, technological advancement, and the shifting entertainment tastes of the United States. What started as the brainchild of a video game guru looking to update the arcade concept became a cheerfully retro fast-food juggernaut that is still seeking to define itself in the internet era.

13 min

5

Women Dominated The Beer Industry...Until They Were Declared Witches

Let's talk some Beer History! For thousands of years, the history of beer was dominated by women. Ancient people worshipped female beer goddesses, female brewsters who filled Viking beer halls, and female saints who performed beer miracles. In medieval Europe, alewives made a living selling beer from their homes - until men decided they were witches. In the 16th century, men grew suspicious of female brewers, who had their own income source.

12 min

6

Olestra | The Miracle Fat Substitute That Became a Pop-Culture Punchline

During the low-fat fad of the 1990s, Procter & Gamble believed it had attained the holy grail of low-fat yet flavorful snacks. P&G's fat substitute olestra was rebranded "Olean", and licensed to food manufacturers for use in chips and cookies. Unfortunately, for many consumers, olestra's side effects included nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and what will forever go down in history as "anal leakage."

13 min

7

Do You Remember The Giant Pizza Wars From the 90s?

Weird History Food is taking you back to the 90s when Dominos, Little Caesars and Pizza Hut faced-off. With pizza, less is never more. More is more. More slices, more toppings, more cheese. Never was that more apparent than in 1993, when America's three biggest pizza chains - Pizza Hut, Domino's, and Little Caesars - launched nearly identical short-lived super-pizza concepts: the Bigfoot, the Dominator, and the Big! Big! Pizza, respectively. What all three pizzas had in common was that they were marketed not on how they tasted, but on how enormous and impractical they were.

13 min

8

How The California Raisins Became a National Phenomenon

Weird History Food is taking you back to the 80s to revisit the California Raisins. in 1986, Will Vinton and his advertising team at Foote, Cone & Belding launched a particularly innovative campaign that revolutionized the California raisin industry for the better part of a decade: the California Raisins. A fictional singing group made up of a quartet of claymation raisins who sang popular hit songs, the California Raisins - and Michael Jackson - appeared in television commercials in an effort to create an allure around the rather unremarkable dried fruit.

11 min

9

How SlimFast Became A Billion-Dollar Diet Craze Machine

Weird History is taking you on a SlimFast nostalgic diet. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, supermarket shelves around the US were suddenly overflowing with different types of dieting beverages and snacks, all promising effortless weight loss. SlimFast meal replacement shakes, which had been pulled from shelves in the 1970s, were re-released in 1984 to become a big part of this '80s diet beverage trend. SlimFast's history, however, goes much deeper than its celebrity endorsements and sudden rise to success.

12 min

10

The Convoluted History Of McDonald's Characters

McDonald's has a menagerie of characters who romp about in a magical burgery world called McDonaldland, and it's as weird as you barely remember. McDonald's began with only a clown, but as the brand expanded to new markets - and appealing to children became the name of the game - the company branched out with more characters than could fit in a McDonald's ball pit. The McDonaldland characters were zanier than those of the other franchises. They were featured not only in commercials and toys but also in an animated series called 'The Wacky Adventures of Ronald McDonald'.

11 min

11

The Rise and Fall of Planet Hollywood

Weird History Food is launching you to Planet Hollywood. When we look back on the fun novelty restaurants that came out of the '90s, one question, in particular, comes to mind: what happened to Planet Hollywood? In 1996, you couldn't go two feet without bumping into a Planet Hollywood. Today, you have to wonder where the restaurants are hiding. When the movie-themed eateries first hit the scene in 1991, they seemed like an instant success. Diners were drawn in by the fun and weird food, movie props, and the possibility of eating next to their favorite movie stars, like Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger. In less than 10 years, though, the franchise closed dozens of locations and nearly collapsed.

11 min

12

Every Pizza Style We Could Find In the United States

Weird History Food is taking you around the United States to find (almost) every variety of pizza this great land has to offer. Everyone knows what goes into the perfect pizza: dough, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings. But these ingredients can be refined and remixed in an infinite number of ways - that's the beauty of pizza. For evidence, look no further than the many regional offerings that put their own spin on the classic pie, like the foldable New York style or the locally inspired St. Louis style.

17 min

13

Who Was the Real Chef Boyardee?

Weird History Food is getting nostalgic with every kid's favorite chef - Chef Boyardee. Chef Hector Boyardee was born in 1897 in Piacenza, Italy, not surprisingly with a very Italian name: Ettore Boiardi. Weird History Food will follow Chef from his humble beginnings as an 11-year-old apprentice to the iconic figure he is today. Grab some Beef Ravioli and follow Chef Boyardee's journey.

12 min

14

Do You Remember the Cola Wars: Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi?

Weird History Food is reliving the sugary soda wars between Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi were invented during the late 1800s, and over the course of the 20th century, they competed for dominance across the globe. Coca-Cola was the front-runner from the outset and remained the leader until the 1970s. As Pepsi pushed harder to seize control of the marketplace, Coca-Cola shoved back and, in true combat-like fashion, the Coke vs. Pepsi war was born.

15 min

15

The Rise and Fall of McDonald's Arch Deluxe

Weird History Food is taking you back to the 90s to relive one of McDonald's biggest and most delicious failures --- the Arch Deluxe. When it comes to finding success in the marketplace, knowing your competition is key. But even more important than understanding your competition is knowing your target customer - and this is the mistake McDonald’s made with the 1996 release of the Arch Deluxe burger.

11 min

16

The Spicy and Surprising History of Doritos

Doritos history? I'll have a bag...Weird History Food is going to get your fingers nice and sticky red on this one because we're talking all about the history of one of the most beloved chips: Doritos. Weird History Food will take you through Doritos' surprising origins and its ties to Disney. Yes, that Disney. Crunch away on this one and watch the damage to the roof of your mouth.

11 min

17

What Was the Most Popular Junk Food From Every Decade In the 20th Century?

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.

16 min

18

The Real Willy Wonka | The Food Scientist Behind Your Favorite Junk Food

Weird History Food introduces you to one of the most influential people for childhood snack nostalgia. William A. Mitchell helped create some of your favorite childhood food, snacks, and drinks. Mitchell is a food-inventing legend creating everything from Pop Rocks to Tang to Instant Jello to Cool Whip. William A. Mitchell received some 70 patents over a career that spanned almost four decades.

13 min

19

Who Was Mac Tonight? McDonald's Moon Man Mascot

Weird History Food is covering some classic McDonald's Commercial Mascots. Portrayed by a young Doug Jones wearing a 'Mac Tonight' mask, Mac was the epitome of cool, as far as crescent moon-headed coolness goes. Depicted playing a piano and singing jazz-themed jingles, the McDonald’s Moon Man became an instant hit the world over. He appears innocent enough, but behind the catchy tune and smiling visage lies a history entangled in homicide-themed pop songs, lawsuits, the so-called "Burger Wars," and racially offensive internet memes.

11 min

20

Candies That Were Pulled for Being Too Dangerous

They say you must take the bitter with the sweet, but what about the toxic? We all have a few candy horror stories, but some people's sweet trauma goes beyond eating a popcorn butter-flavored Jelly Belly. Take Kinder Eggs, which have been banned in the US since the 1930s. The plastic toy hidden inside the candy has caused several children to choke (though everyone affected knowingly consumed the toys), and citizens who attempt to smuggle them into the States can be fined up to $2,500 per egg.

13 min

21

Every Style of Hot Dog We Could Find Across the US

Hot dogs are about as American as apple pie. It's not uncommon for different states to offer their unique spins on classic American cuisine, and the hot dog industry is no exception. While some stands and shops take inspiration from other popular local cuisines for their toppings (like adding coleslaw or fish sticks to their classic franks and buns), others insist on layering, excluding, or adding ingredients to ensure their dogs remain a distinct staple to their regional style.

20 min

22

The Gooey History of Velveeta

Weird History Food is getting cheesy, covering the history of Velveeta. Everyone's favorite party dip for tortilla chips has a longer history than one would expect. Coming from the dairy mind of Emil Frey, Velveeta has changed a lot over the years. How much? Well, take a dip into this video and find out. Chips are not required during the viewing of Velveeta, but a bib might be a good choice.

12 min

23

The History of the Frozen Pizza

Weird History Food is taking frozen pizzas out of the freezer and into the storytelling oven to talk about everyone's favorite go to cheesy snack. Thanks to some innovations, frozen pizzas have become a staple in just about everyone's freezer. But how did this happen? Prebake your oven with your Tony's or Tombstone pizza and get ready to eat some hot-n-now pizza history.

14 min

24

Every BBQ Style We Could Find In the United States

Weird History Food is cooking up some BBQ for you. Food historians and culinary experts often disagree on where barbecuing traditions started. BBQ joints and backyard parties across the nation play host to their distinctive seasonings and cooking methods, producing an American staple deeply rooted in both immigration and native history. This list features some of the most famous (and not so famous) barbecuing styles across the US.

14 min

25

The Rise and Fall of the Hooters Restaurant

Weird History is going to get some wings at the Hooters restaurant. While many people may be turned off by the idea of a restaurant called Hooters, the history of Hooters is actually full of weird facts that may make even those most resistant willing to give it a chance. Founded on April Fool’s Day in 1983, the original “restaurant” has expanded into several different business ventures: the brand sells merchandise and a yearly calendar, boasts a Las Vegas casino hotel, and hosts a yearly swimsuit pageant.

13 min

26

Bologna or Baloney? The History of Your Favorite Lunch Meat

Weird History Food is here for your lunch meat needs. The history of bologna or baloney has a storied history both in both Italy as well as America, which, thanks to German immigrants, gave the rise to American kids' favorite TV jingle -- My baloney has a first name it's O-S-C-A-R. We will spare you the rest, but get your white bread and mayo ready, because we are going on a bologna trip. And that's no baloney.

15 min

27

Stories About Your Favorite Halloween Candy

The top 10 candies weren’t surprising, but the breakdown of the favorites by state offered some interesting results. For instance, Ohio’s favorite Halloween candy is Blow Pops. In Montana, it’s Dubble Bubble Gum; Georgia’s fav is Swedish Fish and Lemonheads for Louisiana. But none of these four candies made the top 10 for the nation. Here are those list toppers in order of popularity, least first, with morsels of their sweet—and not-so-sweet —origins mixed in.

16 min

28

Is the Razorblades In Apples Halloween Story Actually Real?

Weird History Food is dispelling the Halloween myths of tainted candy! We've all heard the stories of somebody lacing delicious Halloween candy with poison, or the classic razorblade in an apple story, but is any of that true? Like any part of it? Join us as we explore the history of Halloween candy myths.

14 min

29

National Foods We Got Wrong

Weird History Food is uncovering the unlikely origin of some of your favorite meals. Food is an essential part of culture. As communities, states, and nations form their identities, food becomes part of how they see themselves and shapes the perceptions of others. Dining at an Italian restaurant, for example, means pasta, pizza, and the like, while the names of some foods even attest to national origins.

12 min

30

The History of the Big Mac

Weird History Food is discussing the Big Mac. Everyone's favorite burger at McDonald's, the Big Mac is probably the most iconic-looking sandwich out there. We're going to take a look back at Mac's early origins, its surprising tie-in to Bob's Big Boy, and where the Big Mac stands today. Get ready for two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

12 min

31

Weirdest Fast Food Menu Items From Foreign Countries

Weird History Food is going global for your Fast Food needs. For better or worse, Americans tend to think of themselves as the biggest junk-food consumers in the world. While one glance down your average American main street makes it hard to argue against that idea, it turns out most of the world is just as dedicated to their mass-produced artery-cloggers as we are. And all of the big chains know it.

12 min

32

American Foods That Are Banned In Other Countries

Weird History Food is gonna get your palate banned. Food is one of those things that immediately sets one country apart from another, and edible items or practices taken for granted in one country may in fact be banned somewhere else. For example, people eat many strange - and sometimes horrifying - foods in the US, some of which would raise eyebrows in almost any other nation.

15 min

33

Everyday Fruits And Veggies That Were Actually Man Made

Weird History Food is showing you the fruits and vegetables that seem natural but are actually man-made. Nowadays, many people like to know where their fruits and veggies came from - whether that's an organic farm across the country or an orchard a few miles away. But how many of us actually think about where our produce came from? As in, how it originated as food?

15 min

34

Breakfast Cereals We Wish They Would Bring Back

Weird History Food is going retro with your old favorite breakfast cereals. Walk down any breakfast cereal aisle in the United States, and you will find a plethora of options. There are often dozens of selections, each with variations on flavor and type. Sadly, some cereals that many enjoyed in childhood no longer exist. Whether it’s due to the public’s changing taste, a loss of license, or some other reason, some have simply vanished.

15 min

35

Dishes That Are Much Older Than We Realized

Avocado toast, goat cheese, alternative meat dishes - these are all that we'd consider 21st-century food trends. But did you know the bases of these dishes have been around a long time? In some cases, thousands of years? Our ancient human ancestors were no different from us in wanting tasty dishes, so they created some of the staple recipes that we take for granted today. From pancakes to pot pie to popcorn, different people in various pockets of the world were responsible for creating (or stumbling upon) some of our favorite foods today.

11 min

36

The Delicious History of TV Dinners

Weird History Food is peeling back the foil on this history of TV Dinners. With its aluminum or microwaveable plate, with separate compartments for meat, vegetable, and dessert, the TV dinner has a special place in food history and culture in the belly of American memories.

13 min

37

Dave Thomas The Man Behind Wendy's

Weird History Food is going through the drive-thru for some Wendy's. Dave Thomas is best known for founding Wendy's hamburger restaurant chain in Columbus, Ohio. He became Wendy's TV spokesman in 1989. Dave opened his own restaurant on November 15, 1969: Wendy's, named after Thomas' 8-year-old daughter. Wendy's quickly caught on, and within less than a decade, had grown into a 1,000-store franchise.

14 min

38

How the Waffle House Was Built

Weird History Food is gonna pull over and get a bite at the Waffle House. In 1955, two neighbors in Georgia opened up a restaurant. Since opening, The Waffle House has created its own culture, with its own unique language and customs, and has been the popular destination after the bars close and for anyone on a road trip.

12 min

39

Unusual Facts About Chocolate

Weird History Food is opening up a delicious video on Chocolate. In one form or another, chocolate has been with mankind for centuries. The delectable snack has an unusual European history. First viewed with suspicion, chocolate became medicine and finally turned thousands into chocoholics.

13 min

40

Some Crunchy and Creamy Facts About Peanut Butter

This Weird History Food video is gonna stick to the roof of your mouth. We're talking Peanut Butter. The peanut butter industry has been thriving for decades. With a wide variety of brands, tastes, and textures, it is one of the most versatile foods on the market. Due to a large assortment of culinary applications, peanut butter can be found almost anywhere. Some people would rather stick to the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, while others use the ingredient in everything they can, including ice creams, cookies, salads, soups, burgers, and even drinks.

16 min