It was probably introduce to colonists from England via Bermuda in 1621. Although potatoes as a crop originated and were grown in South America, they had to travel to Europe, be accepted there as a food crop, and then return to North America for introduction.
The first starch processing plant was founded in the United States in 1831, with more than 10 plants emerging in the following years later.
Potato chips have a United States origin dating back to 1853 in a hotel kitchen at Saratoga Springs, New York. The first chipping plant was established in Ohio in 1895, and in 2009 there were about 130 chipping plants.
During the 1920s, Herman Lay developed the mechanical potato peeler, which simulated production for a mass market. About the same time, Laura Scudder pioneered the packaging of potato chips in sealed bags, initially made from waxed paper, later from cellophane.
Research in processing and construction of low cost facilities during World War II set the stage for greatly expanded potato processing.
History of potato processing
