Popsicle (brand) facts for kids
 |
|
| Type | Ice pops |
|---|---|
| Owner | Good Humor-Breyers |
| Country | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Introduced | 1922 |
| Related brands | Fudgsicle Creamsicle Yosicle |
| Markets | U.S. and Canada |
| Previous owners | Joe Lowe Corporation; Sara Lee Corporation; Empire of Carolina; AmBrit; Gold Bond Ice Cream |
| Registered as a trademark in | U.S. and Canada |
Popsicle is a super popular brand of ice pops! Imagine a tasty, frozen treat made of flavored, colorful ice, all on a stick. It's owned by Good Humor-Breyers and has been a favorite cool snack for many years in the U.S. and Canada.
Contents
The Sweet Story of Popsicle
How Popsicle Was Invented
Did you know Popsicle was invented by accident? Back in 1905, in Oakland, California, a clever 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson was mixing a powdered drink with water. He accidentally left it outside overnight with a stirring stick still in it. It was a very cold night, and the drink froze solid around the stick! Frank discovered this frozen treat the next morning. This gave him the amazing idea for a fruit-flavored "popsicle."
In 1922, Frank shared his cool invention at a big party, and everyone loved it! The next year, he started selling his frozen pops at an amusement park called Neptune Beach in Alameda, California. By 1924, Frank even got a special legal document called a patent for his "frozen confectionery." He first called it "Epsicle," but his children loved it so much, they supposedly convinced him to change the name to Popsicle. These first Popsicles came in fruity flavors and were advertised as a "frozen drink on a stick."
Early Days and Big Changes
Soon after getting his patent, Frank Epperson sold the rights to his Popsicle invention to a company called Joe Lowe Company in New York in 1925. This company then created a special part of their business, called Popsicle Industries, just to sell Popsicles.
Popsicle's Journey Through the Years
Over the years, Popsicle changed owners a few times. In 1965, Popsicle Industries became part of a larger company called Consolidated Foods Corporation. Later, in the 1980s, different parts of the Popsicle business were owned by different companies in the U.S. and Canada.
But don't worry, the Popsicle brand eventually came back together! In 1989, Unilever, a big company that also owned Good Humor, bought the U.S. rights to Popsicle. Then, in 1993, Unilever also bought the Canadian part of the Popsicle business. This meant that the Popsicle brand was finally united again under the Good Humor-Breyers division, making it easier for everyone in the U.S. and Canada to enjoy their favorite frozen treats!
Meet Popsicle Pete, the Friendly Mascot
In 1939, a fun character named Popsicle Pete was introduced! He first appeared on a radio show called Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Popsicle Pete was known for telling listeners how they could win cool prizes by sending in wrappers from Popsicle products. He was a friendly face for the brand and appeared in U.S. advertisements for many years, until 1989. Later, in 1988, Popsicle Pete also became popular in Canada, appearing in TV commercials and ads until 1996.
Discovering Popsicle Flavors and Types
The Popsicle brand has grown a lot since its early days, offering many different kinds of frozen treats!
Classic Popsicle Treats
Under the Popsicle brand, you can find some famous favorites like Creamsicle and Fudgsicle.
- Creamsicle has a yummy vanilla ice cream center, wrapped in a layer of flavored ice. It's like two treats in one!
- Fudgsicle is a delicious chocolate-flavored frozen dessert on a stick. It has a smooth texture, a bit like ice cream, and was originally called "Fudgicle."
Exciting New Popsicle Varieties
Popsicle also offers many other fun and unique treats:
- Firecrackers are special Popsicles shaped like a firecracker. They have three cool colors and flavors: red (cherry) on top, white (white lemon) in the middle, and blue (blue raspberry) on the bottom.
- Slow Melt Pops are designed to stay frozen longer than regular ice pops. They have a special ingredient called gelatin that helps them melt slower, so you can enjoy them even on the hottest days!
- Yosicles are a tasty twist on Popsicles because they contain yogurt.
- Fruit Twisters are another great option, made with fruit juice, milk, and cane sugar for a refreshing taste.
See also
