Cast your vote Aug. 21-Sept. 1
The Great Minnesota Get-Together kicks off today. And once again, with a simple push of a button fairgoers can help answer the age-old question: Pronto Pup or Corn Dog?
Fairgoers interested in weighing in on this important debate can stop by Dunwoody’s booth in the Education Building on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and cast their vote using a FANUC M-1iA industrial robotic arm.
Programmed by students and faculty in the electronics, robotics and automation, and precision manufacturing programs, the robot has been designed to dispense a Team Pronto Pup or Team Corn Dog button and record and tally the votes.
The results of the voting will be reported daily through Dunwoody’s social media accounts, @dunwoodycollege (Instagram, Facebook).
So what’s the difference?
While both versions use cornmeal in the batter, Pronto Pups use a proprietary flour mix and are generally less sweet than their corn dog counterpart.
Did you know?
- Pronto Pups were invented in Oregon by George and Vera Boyington back in 1941.
- Brothers Carl and Neil Fletcher brought the first corn dog to the Texas state fairgrounds in 1942. In Texas, the Fletchers’ creation is called the Corny Dog.
- When first sold, there was only one rule: Pronto Pups could only be served plain or with mustard. No ketchup. ‘
- Gregg Karnis’ father Jack Karnis brought the Pronto Pup to the Minnesota State Fair in 1947. The Karnis family sold 106,000 Pronto Pups that first year, and they haven’t missed a state fair since.
Want the full history? Check out MPR’s definitive history on the subject.
Dunwoody’s fair-time vote featuring Pronto Pup vs. Corn Dog is a fun way for visitors to interact with some of the latest in robotics and automation, which is being taught at the College. Dunwoody students in programs such as Automated Systems & Robotics, Industrial Controls, Industrial Controls & Robotics, and Electronics Technology learn the skills needed to program and operate these high-tech machines for a wide variety of functions and uses in industry.
Stop by the Dunwoody booth to choose your team and wear your button around the Fair.
ABOUT DUNWOODY COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is the only private, not-for-profit technical college in the Upper Midwest. Having provided hands-on, applied technical education to more than 200,000 individuals, Dunwoody is the college for experimenters and makers, a place where the curious and the confident learn by doing. Located in Minneapolis, Dunwoody offers a unique campus experience in dedicated labs, studios, and shops that treats students like future professionals from day one. With certificates, associate’s, and bachelor’s degrees in more than 40 majors – including engineering, robotics, design and other STEM-related fields – Dunwoody challenges students to come determined and graduate destined.