# Single-Kernel Popcorn Popper The Oncle Sam Device Makes Perfect Single Serving Movie Snacks By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2012-11-07 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popcorn-popper References: [treehugger](http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/just-what-we-needed-dept-popcorn-maker-pops-one-kernel-time.html) & [vimeo](http://vimeo.com/ecal) If there’s one snack you simply can’t have just one piece of it’s popcorn, but that hasn’t stopped [University of Art and Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apple-1) Lausanne students Laurent Beirnaert, Pierre Bouvier and Paul Tubiana from creating the 'Oncle Sam,' which pops one kernel of popcorn at a time. Utilizing a complex design that makes one [perfect piece of popcorn](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/belles-gourmet-popcorn) each time, the Oncle Sam places a lone kernel into a tiny pot heated by a flame, which is in turn given a single drop of oil to finalize the ‘pop.' Adding a [dash of salt](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/extra-virgin-olive-oil-sea-salt-popcorn) via the on-board shaker completes the process and supplies the user with a single, if not perfect, piece of scrumptious popcorn. Want seconds? It may take a little longer than you'd like to wait. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 71% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Inventions](https://www.trendhunter.com/inventions) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Single-kernel Popcorn Poppers:** Opportunity for innovative designs that offer single-serving popcorn making. - **Complex Design:** Potential for complex designs that focus on precision and efficiency in food preparation. - **Personalized Snack Experience:** Demand for devices that provide customized and on-demand snack experiences. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Kitchen Appliances:** Disruptive innovation opportunities for kitchen appliance companies to develop single-kernel popcorn poppers. - **Food Packaging:** Opportunity for packaging companies to create single-serving popcorn packages to complement single-kernel poppers. - **Hospitality:** Potential for hotels and movie theaters to introduce personalized snack experiences by offering single-serving popcorn made with complex designs. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Flavor-Wrapped Popcorn Cups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popcorn-cups.md) - [All-in-One Popcorn Pods](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popcorn-pods.md) - [Sci Fi-Themed Popcorn Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/death-star-popcorn.md) - [DIY Snacking Popcorns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gourmet-popping-kernels.md) - [Microwavable Popcorn Cobs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/poppin-cobs.md) - [Campsite Popcorn Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solo-stove-popcorn-maker.md) - [Nostalgic Ready-to-Eat Popcorn Snacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-secret-readytoeat-popcorn.md) - [3D Puzzle Popcorn Machines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popcorn-machine-1.md) - [One-Person Kitchen Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-cooking-appliance.md)