Every once in a while, someone will mail me a single popcorn kernel that didn’t pop. I’ll get out a fresh kernel, tape it to a piece of paper and mail it back to them.

Meaning of the quote

Orville Redenbacher, the famous American businessman, sometimes gets packages in the mail with just one unpopped popcorn kernel. When that happens, he takes a new popcorn kernel, sticks it to a piece of paper, and sends it back to the person who sent him the unpopped one. He does this to show that even though one kernel didn't pop, he can still make a fresh, perfect kernel for them.

About Orville Redenbacher

Orville Redenbacher was an American food scientist and businessman who revolutionized the popcorn industry. His brand of popcorn is now owned by Conagra Brands, and he was described as an “agricultural visionary” by The New York Times.

More about the author

More quotes from Orville Redenbacher

We made more money feeding molasses, urea, and corn cobs to cattle than we ever did feeding dent corn.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

I moved to Princeton, Indiana, and became a professional Farm Manager for that Princeton Farms.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

In the Depression we had to divert corn acreage.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

We got to know the competition very well. In the ’50s popcorn made a big growth in sales. Our main push was to produce the best quality and sell in quality retail outlets.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

Most of the competition was into bulk popcorn because of the major increases in the Drive-In Theatre Outlets.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

Every once in a while, someone will mail me a single popcorn kernel that didn’t pop. I’ll get out a fresh kernel, tape it to a piece of paper and mail it back to them.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

I opened an office in Terre Haute, established eight of them, and became one of the eight county agents.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

We dried continuously day and night. We had no efficient way to do it, so we built this new popcorn plant.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

The cobs were delivered to a big pile. We were one of the first to feed corn cobs to cattle.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

It was necessary to have an even depth of corn on the top compared to the sides, so the air would not take the easiest route and not evenly dry the stored corn.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

I had popcorn all over the place, so I decided I might as well be in the Processing Business.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman

It proved easier to buy the farm to get the mineral rights than to buy the coal rights alone.

Orville Redenbacher

American businessman