Samuel M. Rubin
Encyclopedia
Samuel M. Rubin was a concessionaire
and businessman.
He is best known for introducing popcorn
to movie theater
s in New York in the 1930s, earning him the nickname "Sam the Popcorn Man".
He sold pretzels at age 6 and flags at 9. He started selling popcorn in Long Island City, New York and then at the age of 12 starting selling in theaters. He is the probable pioneer of the widespread use of popcorn
machines in theaters.
Rubin got the idea after watching popcorn being made in Oklahoma City
around 1930. There is some uncertainty about whether Rubin was the first to sell popcorn in theaters — his daughter and a former partner do not remember Rubin selling popcorn in quantity until the 1950s — but he is widely recognized for popularizing the practice.
Rubin sold other snacks as well, and is responsible for creating large, "movie sized" candy
bars and boxes.
Rubin worked for ABC Vending and its predecessors from the age of 12, when he sold candy, to shortly before his death, by which time he was a regional vice president. He managed concessions for several major movie theater chains and Broadway theatre
s, as well as several sports stadiums
, Central Park
, and the Empire State Building
. He also owned about 10 movie theaters.
Concession stand
A concession stand , snack kiosk or snack bar is the term used to refer to a place where patrons can purchase snacks or food at a cinema, fair, stadium, or other entertainment venue. Some events or venues contract out the right to sell food to third parties...
and businessman.
He is best known for introducing popcorn
Popcorn
Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...
to movie theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
s in New York in the 1930s, earning him the nickname "Sam the Popcorn Man".
He sold pretzels at age 6 and flags at 9. He started selling popcorn in Long Island City, New York and then at the age of 12 starting selling in theaters. He is the probable pioneer of the widespread use of popcorn
Popcorn
Popcorn, or popping corn, is corn which expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn is able to pop because, like sorghum, quinoa and millet, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive...
machines in theaters.
Rubin got the idea after watching popcorn being made in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
around 1930. There is some uncertainty about whether Rubin was the first to sell popcorn in theaters — his daughter and a former partner do not remember Rubin selling popcorn in quantity until the 1950s — but he is widely recognized for popularizing the practice.
Rubin sold other snacks as well, and is responsible for creating large, "movie sized" candy
Candy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
bars and boxes.
Rubin worked for ABC Vending and its predecessors from the age of 12, when he sold candy, to shortly before his death, by which time he was a regional vice president. He managed concessions for several major movie theater chains and Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
s, as well as several sports stadiums
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
, Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
, and the Empire State Building
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is a 102-story landmark skyscraper and American cultural icon in New York City at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and West 34th Street. It has a roof height of 1,250 feet , and with its antenna spire included, it stands a total of 1,454 ft high. Its name is derived...
. He also owned about 10 movie theaters.