8 Shocking Facts About Sandwiches

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1. Origin Story 

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The sandwich was named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, in the 18th century. Legend has it that he requested meat between two slices of bread so he could eat without interrupting his gambling. 

2. Mass Consumption 

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Sandwiches are one of the most consumed food items globally. They're popular due to their versatility, convenience, and ability to be customized to various tastes and cultural preferences. 

3. Growth of the Industry 

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The sandwich industry is massive, with billions sold annually. Fast food chains contribute significantly to this number, constantly innovating to cater to diverse tastes. 

4. The Dagwood 

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The "Dagwood" sandwich was inspired by the comic strip "Blondie." The character Dagwood Bumstead was known for creating ridiculously tall sandwiches with numerous fillings.

5. Cultural Adaptations 

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Different cultures have their own take on sandwiches. For instance, the Vietnamese banh mi, Mexican torta, and British chip butty are unique variations that reflect local tastes and ingredients. 

6. Elvis's Favorite  

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Elvis Presley loved a unique sandwich known as the "Fool's Gold Loaf." It consisted of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with a pound of bacon, a jar of peanut butter, and a jar of jelly, then cooked and served warm. 

7. In Space 

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Sandwiches have even made their way to space. Astronauts often consume dehydrated or specially packaged sandwiches aboard spacecraft as they are convenient and can provide necessary nutrition. 

8. World Records 

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There are various records related to sandwiches. For example, the longest sandwich ever made was in Lebanon in 2011, measuring over 2,411 meters (nearly 1.5 miles) long. 

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