A Brief History of the S’more, America’s Favorite Campfire Snack

This summer, millions of marshmallows will be toasted over fires across America. Many will be used as an ingredient in the quintessential summer snack: the s’more.

Huddling around a campfire and eating gooey marshmallows and warm chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers may feel like a primeval tradition.

But every part of the process — including the coat hanger we unbend to use as a roasting spit — is a product of the Industrial Revolution.

This summer, millions of marshmallows will be toasted over fires across America. Many will be used as an ingredient in the quintessential summer snack: the s’more. Huddling around a campfire and eating gooey marshmallows and warm chocolate sandwiched between two graham crackers may feel like a primeval tradition. But every part of the process — including the coat hanger we unbend to use as a roasting spit — is a product of the Industrial Revolution.