Children's Author Gaylia Taylor, Inventor ~ Potato Chips

The book is an account of the life and career of George Crum, a biracial chef who is credited with the invention of the potato chip at a Saratoga Springs, New York restaurant in 1853. Taylor stumbled across George Crum’s story while researching African American inventors on the Internet. “I’m always looking for a story to tell, and George Crum caught my attention because his invention, the potato chip, is loved by so many people,” says the author. “I have to admit that a story about the potato chip peaked my own curiosity, because it is my favorite snack.” The more Taylor read about George Crum, the more interested she became in his life. “It turns out that George did not intentionally invent the potato chip,” Taylor comments. “He accidentally concocted it while trying to appease a customer.” The author says that all her research described George Crum as having a very distinct and colorful personality. “I just couldn’t let him go,” says Taylor. “I said, ‘George, we’ve got a story to tell’”