Popcorn was invented in 1871 by Frederick W. Rueckheim in the USA where he sold the snack on the streets of Chicago.
Explanation
The popcorn itself is believed to have originated from ancient Mesoamerica, possibly as early as 15,000 BCE. However, the commercialization of popcorn into the snack we know today did not occur until 1871, but it wasn't by Frederick W. Rueckheim in Chicago. Instead, it was done by a man named Charles Cretight in a small town called Knoxville, Indiana. Cretight created a new method of popping corn using steam-driven kernels which made it easier and more sanitary than the traditional way of roasting over open flames.