But, if crunchy, salty treats like potato chips are your preference, then you owe a debt of gratitude to cranky chef and a pinky diner who lived over 150 years ago. On August 24,1853, George Crumb was working as a chef in a restaurant when he became frustrated with a customer. The customer had repeatedly sent back his French fries, complaining that they were too thick and soggy. Fed up, Crum decided to teach him a lesson. Crum sliced the potatoes as thinly as possible and fried them in grease. To Crum's astonishment, the customer though the chips were delectable. They became a regular item on the restaurant's menu and, in time,became a staple of the globel fast food industry.