5 Weird Facts You Didn’t Know About Lay’s Potato Chips

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Lay’s chips are as popular in the U.S. as our good pal, Oreo. From the classic salted version to the kettle-cooked BBQ, the brand has dominated the snack industry for some time. You might know the ins and outs of your favorite flavor, but you probably don’t know these five interesting facts about the potato chip brand. If you do, you’re a bigger Lay’s fan than we ever hope to be.

1. The chip has been around since 1932.

Herman Lay created Lay’s chips in Chicago 85 years ago. Though the brand debuted during the Great Depression, consumers liked the chips so much that Lay was able to buy the Barrett Food Company and rename it “H.W. Lay Lingo & Company,” under which Lay’s chips were sold until Lay’s and Fritos started a partnership.

2. Lay’s and Fritos collaborated and became Frito-Lay.

Until 1945, Lay’s and Fritos were competitors. Then, the two companies started a partnership — Lay’s sold Fritos in the southeast region of the U.S. and Fritos sold Lay’s in the southwest. The relationship was so strong that in 1961, the companies decided to merge into Frito-Lay Inc., which is what Lay’s and Fritos are under today.

3. Lay’s was the first snack food to air a commercial on TV.

In 1966, Bert Lahr (the guy who played the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz”!!!) represented the brand in its first-ever commercial. Lay’s was the first snack food to air an ad on national television.

4. There are over 50 flavors of Lay’s chips in the U.S. today.

The Lay’s brand has grown astronomically from its original two flavors to over 50. You can still find the classic salted chips, of course, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can spring for the kettle-cooked jalapeño cheddar or the wavy hickory BBQ.

5. The flavors only get weirder outside of the U.S.

Lay’s also has a number of weird AF international flavors like cucumber and guacamole (Poland), lasagna (Uruguay) and blueberry (China). If you’re abroad and happen to spot one of these out-of-control flavors, try them for yourself and let us know how they taste.