In 1519 when he invaded Mexico, Cortes first saw popcorn when he met the aztecs.popcorn was important to the Aztecs as food,as decoration for ceremonial headdresses and necklaces,and as ornaments on statues of their gods. Arount 1612,French explorers around the great lakes met lroquois who used heated sand in a pottery vessel to make popcorn. There is an unproven theory that an lndian named quadequina brought a deerskin beg of popped corn for first thanksgiving feast on October 15,1621.