Popsicle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
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[edit] History
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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, now owns the rights.
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.
In June 2006, Popsicles with "natural flavors and colors" were introduced, replacing the original versions. Company spokespeople cited customer requests for "an option without some colors and flavors to which some had allergies" as the reason for the change.
[edit] Advertising
The wrapper on traditional Popsicle brand ice bars described their bar as "a quiescently frozen confection." (In this case, "quiescent" means that unlike ice cream, this confection is not stirred whilst being frozen.
Currently the Popsicle brand uses an advertising slogan that reads "If it's Popsicle, it's possible".[2] This slogan is printed on the advertising materials that Popsicle gives to vendors.
[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 or plastic stick). Popular flavors for Creamsicles include orange, blue raspberry, lime, grape and raspberry.
In the United States, National Creamsicle Day is celebrated on 14 August annually.[3][4]
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. The company's Web site describes it as a "chocolate fudge-flavored dairy dessert".
Pudding Pops, frosty Popsicle treats originally made and marketed by Jell-O, were first launched with Bill Cosby acting as spokesperson. He marketed them as "Puddin' Pops!" Pudding Pops come in a variety pack of chocolate, vanilla and chocolate-vanilla swirl, which have 90 calories per serving, 3 grams of fat, and 15 grams of carbohydrates.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ [1], http://www.archive.org/details/otr_buckrogers Retrieved on 2008-08-18
- ^ "Popsicle Activities- Things to Do". Unilever. http://www.popsicle.com/activities/index.cfm. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ "Zany Holidays: National Creamsicles Day 2008". http://www.zanyholidays.com/2008/08/national-creamsicles-day-2008.html. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
- ^ "Holiday Insights : August 14 - National Creamsicle Day". http://holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/August/creamsickleday.htm. Retrieved on 2008-08-14.
[edit] Bibliography
- Jones, Charlotte Foltz (1991). Mistakes That Worked. Ashley. ISBN 0-385-26246-9.
[edit] External links
- Popsicle.com
- Popsicle stick craft projects links
- Original patent
- Ultimate Popsicle stick bomb site
- Popsicle Riddles
