The History of the Popsicle
A child's curiosity in the early 20th century marked the beginning of a popular frozen dessert. The Popsicle, a sweet treat that comes in a variety of flavors, began with an experiment on a frigid night. Several years later, it was marketed and has since been a staple in household freezers throughout the world.
The Inventor
In 1905, an 11-year-old child named Frank Epperson came up with a concoction that would serve as the ingredients for the eventual Popsicle. He mixed soda water powder with water and left the mixture outside overnight. He kept the stirring stick in the mixture. That night, temperatures dropped below freezing. When he awoke the next morning, Epperson had a stick of frozen soda water, and he shared his discovery with friends at school.
Business Started
Eighteen years after his initial discovery, Epperson decided to start a business. He began selling Epsicles in seven fruit flavors at an amusement park in Almeda, California, in 1923. Epsicle ice pops were marketed as frozen drinks on a stick. Realizing the potential of his business and the product, Epperson applied for and received a patent for his product in 1924.
Name Change and Sale
Epperson decided to take his name out of his invention in 1924, rebranding the Epsicle as the Popsicle. At the time of the announcement, Epperson said he did so at the insistence of his children, who liked the Popsicle name better. After just two years at the helm of the operation, Epperson decided to sell the Popsicle rights in 1925 to the New York-based Joe Lowe Company. According to published reports, Epperson had earned royalties on the more than 60 million Popsicles that had been sold by 1928.
Mascot Introduced
The Popsicle brand resonated with children--and for reasons beyond the sweet taste. In 1939, a company mascot named Popsicle Pete was introduced on the popular radio program "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." Popsicle Pete would prompt children to enter contests by sending in packaging from Popsicle products. Popsicle Pete appeared in company promotions for more than a half century. In 1995, the mascot made a final appearance and faded into history.
The Popsicle Today
Today, the Popsicle name is owned by the Good Humor Ice Cream Co., based in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Good Humor is a division of the Unilever soap company from the United Kingdom. Since the initial introduction, Popsicles come in a far wider variety of flavors. In 2006, several changes were made to the brand. The original ingredients were replaced with all-natural flavors. In keeping with the times, Good Humor also has introduced sugar-free, fat-free and vitamin-infused varieties of Popsicles.
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