{{Short description|American food company}} {{Infobox company |name=American Pop Corn Company |type=Private Corporation |foundation=1914<ref name=Museum/> |founder=Cloid H Smith<ref name=Museum/> |location_city=Sioux City, Iowa |location_country=U.S. |key_people=Steve Huisenga, President<ref name=2024PR/> <br/> Garrett Smith, Director <br/> Carlton Smith, Director |products=Blast O' Butter, Butterlicious, Better Butter, White and Buttery, Crispy 'n White, KettleMania, The Big Cheez, Mallow Magic, Sassy Salsa, Sea Salt & Cracked Pepper|}}

'''The American Pop Corn Company''', established in 1914, is a family-owned business<ref name=2024PR/> headquartered in Sioux City, Iowa. It is the oldest popcorn producer in the United States and is best known for its '''Jolly Time''' brand, which is sold nationally and internationally. The company employs approximately 185 people.

==History== The American Pop Corn Company was founded by Cloid H. Smith, who began experimenting with popcorn production after becoming dissatisfied with the prices at which popcorn from his farm was being sold. He started the business in the basement of his home in Schaller, Iowa, with the assistance of his son, Howard.<ref name=Museum/>{{sfn|Smith|1972|p=4}}

In its first year, the company sold over 75,000 pounds of popcorn. To meet growing demand, Smith built a storage crib in 1914 and a shelling and cleaning facility in 1915.<ref name=Rootsweb/>{{sfn|Smith|1972|p=8}}

thumb|left|150px|A wrapper sleeve from the company from 1926

In 1924, the company transitioned from cardboard to using metal cans for packaging, which helped preserve the freshness of the popcorn. This innovation led to the company's adoption of the slogan "Guaranteed to Pop."{{sfn|Smith|1972|p=11}}

The economic growth of the American Pop Corn Company was further supported by the rise in popularity of radio, movie theaters, and television in the 1930s and 1940s. Popcorn became a popular snack for people gathered around these entertainment mediums. Additionally, popcorn was an affordable food during the Great Depression, and its popularity continued to grow during the economic boom following World War II.<ref name=Museum/>

In 1953, the Floyd River flooded, affecting much of Sioux City. Cloid's grandson, Wrede Smith, led a project in collaboration with the Sioux City Chamber of Commerce to rechannel the river. The project took three years to complete and cost $19.6 million.{{sfn|Smith|1972|p=31}}

To strengthen the Jolly Time brand in the face of increased competition, the company began using celebrity endorsements, including figures like Danny Kaye, Bob Hope, and Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, and advertised on popular game shows such as ''Let's Make a Deal''. In keeping with industry trends, the company switched to plastic packaging for its popcorn.<ref name=Museum/>

The introduction of the microwave oven in the 1970s revolutionized the popcorn industry. Jolly Time capitalized on this by introducing microwave popcorn, which led to increased sales and the construction of a new plant. The company also expanded its reach to Europe during this time.<ref name=Museum/> In 2003, the company sold its one-billionth bag of microwave popcorn.

As of 2024, the American Pop Corn Company remained family-operated, with the fourth generation of the Smith family at the helm and the fifth generation also employed in the business. According to the company, their product and work culture are reflected in their company address &mdash; One Fun Place, Sioux City, Iowa. In 2024, for the first time in its history, put a non-family member in the role of president.;<ref name=2024PR/> while, still having Smith family members on the board of directors.<ref name=2024PR/>

==In the news== A Colorado man developed a rare respiratory illness &mdash; bronchiolitis obliterans ("popcorn lung") &mdash; after consuming about two bags of popcorn every day for 10 years. In 2007, he filed a lawsuit against popcorn maker Gilster-Mary Lee and grocery store chain Kroger, claiming his illness was due to inhaling diacetyl,<ref name=Diacetyl/> an additive to microwave popcorn which gives the buttery flavor.<ref name=NPRpopcorn/> While the chemical occurs naturally in foods such as butter, cheese, and fruits and is deemed safe for consumption.,<ref name=FitSugar/> it had been known to cause broncheolitis obliterans in plant workers who handle the chemical.<ref name=NPRpopcorn/>

In response to the complaint, popcorn manufacturers, including the American Pop Corn Company (Jolly Time), no longer use diacetyl in their products.<ref name=FitSugar/>

==See also== {{portal|Food}} * List of popcorn brands

==References== ===Citations=== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=2024PR>{{cite web|accessdate=2025-02-15 |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-pop-corn-company-makers-of-jolly-time-pop-corn-announces-strategic-leadership-transition-to-drive-future-growth-302073092.html |via=PR Newswire|date=February 27, 2024|title=American Pop Corn Company, makers of JOLLY TIME Pop Corn, Announces Strategic Leadership Transition to Drive Future Growth}} </ref> <ref name=Museum>{{cite web|accessdate=2025-02-15 |url=https://www.siouxcitymuseum.org/history-website/american-popcorn-company |title=American Pop Corn Company |date=November 1, 2024 |publisher=Sioux City Public Museum}} </ref> <ref name=Rootsweb>{{cite book|accessdate=2025-02-15 |url=https://sites.rootsweb.com/~iaohms/popcorn_american.html |chapter=The American Popcorn Company|page=125 |title=As Time Goes By, 1877-1977|publisher=The Olebolt Chronicle |date=May 1977|via=Rootsweb.com}} </ref> <ref name=FitSugar>{{cite web |url=http://www.fitsugar.com/742961 |date=2007-10-31 |title=Don't Inhale the Popcorn Fumes |publisher=FitSugar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305045558if_/http://www.fitsugar.com/742961 |archive-date=2009-03-05}} </ref> <ref name=Diacetyl>{{cite web|accessdate=2025-02-15 |url=https://www.seriouseats.com/diacetyl-when-buttery-goodness-breaks-bad |publisher=Serious Eats|title=What Is Diacetyl?|quote=The molecule responsible for butter flavor is also behind Popcorn Lung, a deadly lung disease.|first=Jason |last=Horn|date=March 20, 2023}} </ref> <ref name=NPRpopcorn>{{cite news|accessdate=2025-02-15 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/09/20/161489994/man-wins-7-million-in-suit-claiming-microwave-popcorn-caused-lung-disease |title=Man Wins $7 Million In Suit Claiming Microwave Popcorn Caused Lung Disease |date=September 20, 2012|first=April |last=Fulton |publisher=NPR}} </ref>

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===Bibliography=== {{citation |last=Smith|first=Wrede, Jr |title=A history of pop corn and the American Pop Corn Company |publisher = American Pop Corn Company |location=Sioux City, Iowa |year=1972}}

==Homepage== *[http://www.jollytime.com Jolly Time Official site]

{{Popcorn brands}}

Category:Privately held companies based in Iowa Category:Popcorn brands Category:American companies established in 1914 Category:Food and drink companies established in 1914 Category:Food and drink companies based in Iowa Category:Family-owned companies of the United States