Originally Posted by COpltASgldPHX

Little known Big Mac factoid:

Before inventing the Internet, Albert (Al) A. Gore Jr., then a Junior at Harvard University, yearned for a new late-night munchie that could be made with items readily available in his mini-fridge at Dunster House. A mere cheeseburger was boring so he tinkered with ingredients, added an extra all-beef patty, and separated the two with a slice of wonder bread between the top and bottom hamburger bun. With lettuce, cheese, pickles and onion his creation, which he dubbed the "Big Al", was almost complete, but ketchup wasn't quite cutting the mustard. He needed something to "kick it up a notch." His roommate, future actor and then vegetarian Tommy Lee Jones, suggested he try one of his salad dressings. The addition of russian dressing proved to be just the condiment the "Big Al" needed and soon it was a hit at all the Harvard dorm parties.

Unbeknownst to poor Al, a fellow student from Uniontown, PA, developed a fondness for the "Big Al" and when he returned home that summer of '67 longed for the two all-beef patties and special sauce creation. He went to the new hamburger joint in town, McDonald's, and approached the franchise owner Jim Delligatti with his idea to add the "Big Al" to the menu. Jim struck a deal with the youth, offering him free burgers for life if he kept the origin of the recipe to himself. Jim had the local bakery crate a unique club style bun and, so as not to be accused of copying the burger made famous at Harvard by Gore, added toasted sesame seeds to the crown and named his creation the "Big Mac."

To this day Al Gore Jr. doesn't receive proper credit for the Internet, Big Mac, or for coining the phrase "kick it up a notch!"