Popsicle (brand)

This article is about a specific brand of ice pop. For the non-brand snack, see Ice pop. For other uses, see Popsicle (disambiguation).
Popsicle
Product type Ice pops
Owner Unilever
Country Oakland, California, U.S.
Introduced 1924
Related brands Fudgsicle
Creamsicle
Markets U.S./Canada
Website popsicle.com

Popsicle is a North American brand of ice pop owned by Unilever, and a genericized trademark for any type of ice pop, due to its popularity.

History

Epperson's US patent for the Popsicle.

In 1905 in Oakland, California, 11-year-old Frances William "Frank" Epperson (1894-1983)[1] was mixing a white powdered flavoring for soda and water out on the porch. He left it there, with a stirring stick still in it. That night, temperatures reached a record low, and the next morning, the boy discovered the drink had frozen to the stick, inspiring the idea of a fruit-flavored 'Popsicle'.[2] In 1922, he introduced the frozen treat at a fireman's ball. It was a sensation. In 1923, Epperson sold the frozen pop on a stick to the public at Neptune Beach, an amusement park in Alameda, California. Seeing that it was a success, in 1924 Epperson applied for a patent for his "frozen confectionery" which he called "the Epsicle ice pop".[3] He renamed it to Popsicle, allegedly at the insistence of his children.

It was originally available in seven flavors and marketed as a "frozen drink on a stick." The form is unique, with a wooden stick going through the ice to create a handle. The stick, similar in shape and size to a disposable tongue depressor, with round ends used as a handle became as well known as the treat, commonly used as a craft-stick for craft projects by children and adults.

In 1925, Epperson sold the rights to the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. "I was flat and had to liquidate all my assets," he recalled years later. "I haven't been the same since." In 1989, Good Humor, a subsidiary of Unilever, bought the rights.[4] In June 2006, Popsicles with "natural flavors and colors" were introduced, replacing the original versions in some cases. In addition, Popsicle provides several sugar-free flavors.

Popsicle Pete

In April 1939, Popsicle Pete was introduced on the radio program Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as having won the "Typical American Boy Contest."[5][6] The character told listeners that they could win presents by sending wrappers from Popsicle products to the manufacturer. During the 1940s, Popsicle Pete ads were created by Woody Gelman and his partner Ben Solomon. The ads appeared in print, television commercials, and activity books until 1995. In 2014, Popsicle modernized Pete by including him as part of their "Original Gang," releasing comics, an original music video and other content on their Facebook page.

Creamsicle is a brand name for a different frozen dessert also owned by Unilever. Again on the same flat wooden stick, it is made as a single flat bar with a rounded end. The center is vanilla ice cream, covered by a layer of flavored ice. Creamsicle flavors include orange, blue raspberry, lime, grape, cherry and blueberry. They are available in several varieties, including 100 Calorie Bars, Low Fat Bars, No Sugar Added Bars, and Sugar Free Bars. 50-50 bar is an alternative name for a Creamsicle.[7] In the United States, August 14 has been named as National Creamsicle Day.[8][9] Similar is the Dreamsicle, whose center is ice milk.[10]

Fudgsicle is another registered trademark of Unilever. During the first half of the 20th century, the product was sold as Fudgicle. This frozen dessert is in a flat shape on a stick, but it is chocolate-flavored with a texture somewhat similar to ice cream. Fudgsicles are available in 100 Calorie Bars, Low Fat Bars, No Sugar Added Bars, and Sugar Free Bars. The box can be all milk chocolate or a mixed box with white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate.

Fudgicle advertisement from 1938. Popsicle brands sponsored the Popeye radio show in 1938-9.

Slow Melt Pops are newer to the Popsicle product line. The addition of a small amount of gelatin helps them stay frozen longer than traditional ice pops. Slow Melt Pops are available in several varieties, including Slow Melt Mighty Minis, Fantastic Fruity, Swirlwinds, Slow Melt Dora the Explorer, and movie-themed Ice Age.

Firecrackers are American Fourth of July Popsicles, in a shape resembling a firecracker.

Yosicles are new to the Popsicle line. The Yosicle is a Popsicle containing yogurt.

Revello Bars, chocolate covered ice cream on a stick

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ www.findagrave.com
  2. ↑ Stephanie Butler (August 16, 2013). famous "Frozen History: The Story of the Popsicle" Check |url= value (help). the History Channel. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
  3. ↑ Associated Press (October 27, 1983). "Frank Epperson, 89, Inventor of Popsicle, Dies in California". New York Times.
  4. ↑ Jordi, Nathalie. "Don't Use the P Word: A Popsicle Showdown". the Atlantic. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Buck Rogers radio program; Episode #1, Apr 5 1939, Generic Radio Workshop Script Library, Accessed November 1, 2010.
  6. ↑ Buck Rogers radio files, Internet Archive, Accessed November 1, 2010.
  7. ↑ "The Couponess". "National Creamsicle Day 2011: Creamsicle Dessert & Drink Recipes". thecouponess.com. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "Zany Holidays: National Creamsicles Day 2008". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  9. ↑ "Holiday Insights : August 14 - National Creamsicle Day". Retrieved 2008-08-14.
  10. ↑

References

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