Popsicle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2009) |
Popsicle is the most popular brand of ice pop in the U.S. and Canada. Popsicle is a trademark owned by Unilever, although it has entered the general vernacular in North America. It was founded in Michigan.
Contents |
[edit] History
 |
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2009) |
In 1905, Frank Epperson, then 11 years old, left a stir stick in a mixture of powdered soda and water out in the porch. That night, temperatures in San Francisco reached a record low. When Epperson woke the next morning, he discovered the drink had frozen to the stir stick, creating a fruit flavored 'icicle,' a treat he had named the Epsicle. Eighteen years later, in 1923, Epperson introduced the Epsicle to the public for the first time at an Alameda, California amusement park, Neptune Beach. In 1924, Epperson applied for a patent for his "frozen confectionery" called the Epsicle ice pop. He renamed it the Popsicle, allegedly at the insistence of his children. It was originally available in seven flavors and marketed as a "frozen drink on a stick." In 1925, Epperson sold the rights to the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. Good Humor, a subsidiary of Unilever, bought the rights in 1989.[citation needed]
In April 1939, a mascot named Popsicle Pete was introduced on the radio program Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as having won the "Typical American Boy Contest."[1] The character told listeners that they could win presents if they sent packaging from Popsicle products to the manufacturer. He appeared in print and television advertisements, and activity books until 1995.
The Miller Brewing Company released the Arctic Breeze, a line of fruit flavored popsicles containing 8.5% alcohol by volume. Arctic Breeze was marketed under the Mickey's Malt Liquor brand and was available in fruit punch, lemonade, and melon berry flavors. Despite better than expected sales the Arctic Breeze was pulled from retailers after only seven months due to allegations of intentionally targeting the product to children.
In June 2006, Popsicles with "natural flavors and colors" were introduced, replacing the original versions. In addition, Popsicle provides several ‘Sugar Free,’ 'No Sugar Added, ' Fat-free and vitamin infused options to meet the dietary needs of a wide variety of consumers.
[edit] Related snacks
Creamsicle is a brand name, also owned by Unilever, for a frozen dessert which resembles an ice pop, with a center composed of vanilla ice cream, and an exterior layer of flavored ice (all around a wooden stick). Popular flavors for Creamsicles include orange, blue raspberry, lime, grape and raspberry. Creamsicles 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.[citation needed]
In the United States, National Creamsicle Day is celebrated on 14 August annually.[2][3]
Fudgsicle is another variation; it, too, is a registered trademark of Unilever. This frozen dessert is chocolate-flavored and creamy, with a flavor and texture somewhere between a water ice pop and ice cream. Fudgsicles are also available in 100 Calorie Bars, Low Fat Bars, No Sugar Added Bars and Sugar Free Bars. In the early 20th century, this product was sold as Fudgicle.[4]
Slow Melt Pops are newer to the Popsicle product line. The addition of a small amount of gelatin helps the pops stay frozen longer than traditional ice pops. Slow Melt Pops are available in several varieties, including Slow Melt Mighty Minis, Fantastic Fruity, Swirlwinds, and ‘Ice Age’ movie-themed Slow Melt Pops.
[edit] Trivia
 |
Lists of miscellaneous information should be avoided. Please relocate any relevant information into appropriate sections or articles. (October 2009) |
|
|
This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2009) |
- Cherry is the No. 1 Popsicle ice pop flavor
- Popsicle ice pop sticks have riddles on them, but you have to eat the whole ice pop to find the answer
- During World War II, the Eighth Airforce Unit chose Popsicle ice pops as a symbol of American life
- The very first “ice cream man” sold Popsicle ice pops from a horse-drawn cart to children in Nebraska
- The Twin Popsicle ice pop was invented during The Great Depression, so two children could share an ice pop for a nickel
- Some Popsicle ice pops are made from the outside in.
- Popsicle has several products based on popular cartoon and comic book characters, including Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and Spider-Man.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [1], http://www.archive.org/details/otr_buckrogers Retrieved on 2008-08-18
- ^ "Zany Holidays: National Creamsicles Day 2008". http://www.zanyholidays.com/2008/08/national-creamsicles-day-2008.html. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ "Holiday Insights : August 14 - National Creamsicle Day". http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August/creamsickleday.htm. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ Scoop.com, Industry News, 12/18/2004.
[edit] Bibliography
- Jones, Charlotte Foltz (1991). Mistakes That Worked. Ashley. ISBN 0-385-26246-9.
