Popsicle® was accidentally invented in 1905 by Frank Epperson when he was 11 years old. He left a mixture of powdered soda, water, and a stirring stick in a cup on his porch during an exceptionally cold night, and found the frozen pop the next day.
It was an instant hit. Later, when he had kids of his own, they kept on asking for their dad’s ‘icicle’, but they always said “Pop’s ‘sicle,” so he changed the name from ‘Epsicle’ to Popsicle® in 1923 and applied for a patent.
During The Great Depression, times were very hard and of course Popsicle® became a luxury. To allow more kids to still enjoy the treat despite the financially difficult time, the Twin Popsicle® ice pop was invented. This meant that two kids could share an ice pop and only pay one nickel!
During WWII Popsicle® ice pops were chosen as the symbol of American life by the Eighth Air Force Unit. That is how much the brand was already ingrained in American society.
The very first “ice cream man” sold Popsicle® ice pops from a horse-drawn cart to children in Nebraska.
