Culinary history, often tinged with meaningful sociological context, is the lifeblood of my long career as a food industry journalist. Legendary stories of culinary invention—and the people behind the creations—fuel my creative drive. This culinary lore wields significant power, and companies that factor into these tales in a meaningful way often have origin stories that intertwine with key points in our nation’s history.
It’s a true privilege to tell the stories of snack and bakery company success, meeting with industry leadership and getting to know what makes their companies tick. This month, we take a look at the origins and growth of a true American snack industry legend, Mikesell’s Potato Chip Co., a landmark company from Dayton, OH, with an origin that dates back to the earliest days of the 20th century—an origin that neatly intertwines with the history of potato chips.