The American public was first introduced to the grapefruit at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. At first, most Americans had little idea what to do with this over-sized sour orange and many considered it the fruit of the hoity-toity and of those with French aspirations. Slowly but surely through the work of a few dedicated believers it gained popular acceptance and is now a breakfast staple. It is now responsible for one-fifth of all citrus production in the United States.
And as Martin stood in front of his show booth on Sunday, July 21st at Palmer Auditorium in Austin, Texas for the Annual Kitchen & Bath Appliance tradeshow as the sole representative (and sole employee) of Austex Bidet and Supply he held a single heat and ink stained index card on which he’d scribbled the following:
- grapefruit!
- introduced 1893 World’s Fair
- didn’t catch on at first
- sour
- came from France
- close with: Everyone loves ‘em now!