Introduction
The corn dog is a classic American snack food that has been enjoyed by generations of people around the world. It is an iconic part of American culture, found in state fairs, carnivals, and even supermarkets. But where did this beloved snack come from? Who was the genius behind the invention of the corn dog? This article will explore the origins of the corn dog, tracing its history and investigating claims of different inventors. We will look at the evidence for each claim and uncover the mystery behind who invented the corn dog.
A Historical Account of the Invention of the Corn Dog
Exploring the Origins of the Corn Dog
The corn dog has been around for many years, but its exact origin remains a mystery. The earliest references to the corn dog date back to the early 1900s, when it was known as a “pronto pup.” An advertisement for the pronto pup appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 16,1917, describing it as “the new kind of frankfurter on a stick.”
It is believed that the corn dog was invented in the Midwest, possibly in Texas or Oklahoma, although there are no records to confirm this. There are also no records of the exact recipe used to make the original corn dogs, but they were likely made with cornmeal batter and deep-fried.
The Mystery of the Corn Dog: Uncovering its Inventor
Despite its popularity, the true origin of the corn dog remains a mystery. Many people have claimed to be the inventor of the corn dog, but none of these claims has been definitively proven. Some of these claims date back to the 1930s, when the corn dog first became popular. Others are more recent, with some claiming to be the inventor as recently as the 1990s.
So who is the real inventor of the corn dog? While we may never know for sure, there are several contenders who have made credible claims for being the creator of this iconic snack.
An Investigation into Who Invented the Corn Dog
Examining Claims of Different Inventors
The most widely accepted claim is that the corn dog was invented in 1942 by brothers Carl and Neil Fletcher. They developed the idea while working at their father’s restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. The Fletchers had experimented with various recipes before settling on the one they thought tasted the best.
Another popular claim is that the corn dog was invented in 1945 by Pronto Pup, Inc., a company started by Sam Zemurray and his son-in-law, Leo Frank. The company was based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and specialized in selling hot dogs on sticks. They created the now-famous corn dog recipe, which consisted of a hot dog dipped in cornmeal batter and deep-fried.
Finally, there is the claim that the corn dog was invented in 1947 by German immigrant Alfred Ehlers. He opened a stand at the Texas State Fair and began selling hot dogs dipped in cornmeal batter and deep-fried. The stand quickly became popular and Ehlers’ corn dogs soon spread throughout the country.
Analyzing the Evidence for Each Claim
The Fletchers’ claim is supported by oral histories from family members and other eyewitnesses. However, there is no written evidence to back up the claim. As for Pronto Pup, Inc., the company was founded in 1945, so it is possible that they could have invented the corn dog around that time. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this claim either.
As for Ehlers’ claim, the only evidence is a newspaper article from 1947 describing his stand at the Texas State Fair. This is the earliest documented reference to the corn dog, making Ehlers’ claim the most credible. However, it is still uncertain if he was the actual inventor of the corn dog or simply the first person to sell it.
A Timeline of the Corn Dog: Tracing its History
Early References to the Corn Dog
The earliest reference to the corn dog dates back to 1917, when it was known as a “pronto pup.” An advertisement for the pronto pup appeared in the Wisconsin State Journal on August 16, 1917.
In 1942, the Fletchers claim to have invented the corn dog at their father’s restaurant in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. However, there is no written evidence to back up this claim.
In 1945, Pronto Pup, Inc. was founded by Sam Zemurray and his son-in-law, Leo Frank. The company specialized in selling hot dogs on sticks and may have invented the corn dog around this time.
Finally, in 1947, German immigrant Alfred Ehlers opened a stand at the Texas State Fair and began selling hot dogs dipped in cornmeal batter and deep-fried. This is the earliest documented reference to the corn dog and makes Ehlers’ claim the most credible.
Popularization of the Corn Dog
Ehlers’ stand at the Texas State Fair was a hit and his corn dogs soon spread throughout the country. By the 1950s, the corn dog was a popular snack at state fairs, carnivals, and other events. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the corn dog began appearing in supermarkets, cementing its place as a classic American snack food.
Conclusion
Summary of Findings
This article explored the origins of the corn dog, tracing its history and investigating claims of different inventors. We looked at the evidence for each claim and uncovered the mystery behind who invented the corn dog. Our investigation concluded that the most credible claim is that the corn dog was invented in 1947 by German immigrant Alfred Ehlers.
What We Still Don’t Know About the Corn Dog
Although Ehlers’ claim is the most credible, it is still uncertain if he was the actual inventor of the corn dog or simply the first person to sell it. There are also no records of the exact recipe used to make the original corn dogs, so it remains a mystery.
Final Thoughts
The corn dog is a classic American snack food that has been enjoyed by generations of people around the world. Although the exact origin of the corn dog remains a mystery, our investigation concluded that the most credible claim is that it was invented in 1947 by German immigrant Alfred Ehlers.
No matter who invented the corn dog, it is safe to say that this beloved snack will continue to be enjoyed by people for many years to come.
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