18. The Potato Chip
George Crum is the man we all have to thank for the crunchy, salty, satisfying treat that goes so great with an afternoon sandwich. That’s right—I’m talking about the potato chip. Crum worked as a chef at the Moon Lake Lodge, in Saratoga Springs, NY when one day he made history books (the only ones I want to read, anyway). A customer repeatedly sent their fries back complaining they were too soggy, and Crum finally had enough. He sliced the potatoes extra thin, fried them to a crisp, dowsed them in salt, and sent them out. To his surprise, they were a hit—and now the average American eats FOUR pounds a year. Four pounds a year may be a bit much, but it’s no surprise considering how delicious they can be!