Popsicles!

Popsicles are one of my favorite things. And my favorite flavor is orenge! Popsicle is the common name in the U.S. and Canada for a frozen treat on a stick, an item called an ice lolly in the United Kingdom and an ice block or icy pole in Australia. Popsicle is a trademark owned by Unilever, although it has entered the general vernacular in the United States.

Popsicle History

Cherry PopsicleThe first recorded Popsicle was created in 1905 by 11-year-old Frank Epperson, who had left a glass of soda water powder and water, which was a popular drink in those days, on a windowsill outside with a glass mixing stick in it. That night, the temperature plummeted, and when Frank returned to the drink the next morning, he found that the soda water had frozen inside the glass, and that by running it under hot water, he was able to remove (and eat) the frozen soda water chunk using the stir stick as a handle.

Frozen juice bars have been around since the 1800s, but the Popsicle is the first form of the product to be mass marketed.

Today it is estimated that three million Popsicles are sold annually.

Popsicle Timeline

1922, the ice-lollipop was introduced to the public for the first time at an Oakland ball for firemen.

1923, Epperson applied for a patent for "frozen ice on a stick" called the Epsicle ice pop, which he re-named the Popsicle, allegedly at the instigation of his children. 1925, Frank Epperson sold the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. Good Humor, a subsidiary of Unilever, now owns the rights.

1940s, Woody Gelman created Popsicle Pete as its mascot. He appeared in print ads, commercials, and activity books until 1995.