The interesting history of the Popsicle

As we celebrate Independence Day in the US, the temperature in much of the country is sizzling hot. When the weather gets hot, people turn to the freezer for refreshment, and one frozen treat is perfect to beat the heat: Popsicles. The brightly-colored, fruit-flavored frozen concoctions are a natural foil to a sticky summer afternoon. Popsicles are adored by children but did you know that they were also invented by one? NPR’s The Salt tells the story of how an 11-year-old accidentally created the frozen treat over 100 years ago.

In 1905, Frank Epperson, a boy living in the San Francisco Bay area, “mixed some sugary soda powder with water and left it out overnight. It was a cold night, and the mixture froze. In the morning, Epperson devoured the icy concoction, licking it off the wooden stirrer.” He named his invention the “Epsicle” and began selling the treat around his neighborhood. Several years later Epperson applied for a patent and changed the name, at the urging of his kids, to what they were calling the treat – Popsicle (Pops’ sicle).

While the story of the Popsicle’s creation is charming, it doesn’t have a very happy ending. A broke Epperson sold the rights to his creation to the Joe Lowe Co. in the late 1920s: “I was flat and had to liquidate all my assets,” he later said. “I haven’t been the same since.” Popsicle remained independent until 1989, when food giant Unilever scooped up the rights to the frozen treat. 

While the term Popsicle is trademarked, dozens of copycats fill store freezers and have grown beyond the artificial saccharine flavors of old to incorporate fruit juices, whole fruits, and (of course) alcohol. The EYB Library has recipes for frozen pops that will suit young and old alike. Try Mango-cashew kulfi pops (pictured above) from Food & Wine Magazine, Pimm’s pops from Better Homes & Gardens Magazine, Jalapeño ice pops from Food Network Magazine, Tropical pops from Australian Gourmet Traveller or Real fruit ice pops: blueberry cantaloupe from Cooking Color. If those aren’t enough to motivate you, browse the 45+ additional fruit and cream ice pop recipes in the Library.