Popsicle (brand)
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| Product type | Ice Pops |
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| Owner | Unilever |
| Country | Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Introduced | 1924 |
| Related brands | Fudgsicle Creamsicle |
| Markets | U.S./Canada |
| Website | popsicle |
Popsicle is a North American brand of ice pop owned by Unilever, and a genericized trademark for any type of ice pop, due to its popularity. It's made out of juice that has been frozen. One of their types of popsicle is the crayon.
In 1905 in Oakland, California, 11-year-old Francis William "Frank" Epperson (1894-1983) was mixing a white powdered flavoring for soda and water out on the porch. He left it there, with a stirring stick still in it. This was probably on accident. That night, temperatures reached a record low, and the next morning, Epperson discovered the drink had frozen to the stick, inspiring the idea of a fruit-flavored 'Popsicle'. In 1922, he introduced the frozen treat at a fireman's ball. It was a sensation. In 1923, Epperson sold the frozen pop on a stick to the public at Neptune Beach, an amusement park in Alameda, California. Seeing that it was a success, in 1924 Epperson applied for a patent for his "frozen confectionery" which he called "the Epsicle ice pop". He renamed it to Popsicle, allegedly at the insistence of his children.
It was originally available in seven flavors and marketed as a "frozen drink on a stick." The form is unique, with a wooden stick going through the ice to create a handle. The stick, similar in shape and size to a disposable tongue depressor, with round ends used as a handle became as well known as the treat, commonly used as a craft-stick for craft projects by children and adults.
In 1925, Epperson sold the rights to the Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. "I was flat and had to liquidate all my assets," he recalled years later. "I haven't been the same since." In 1989, Good Humor, a subsidiary of Unilever, bought the rights. In June 2006, Popsicles with "natural flavors and colors" were introduced, replacing the original versions in some cases. In addition, Popsicle provides several sugar-free flavors.
In April 1939, Popsicle Pete was introduced on the radio program Buck Rogers in the 25th Century as having won the "Typical American Boy Contest." The character told listeners that they could win presents by sending wrappers from Popsicle products to the manufacturer. During the 1940s, Popsicle Pete ads were created by Woody Gelman and his partner Ben Solomon. The ads appeared in print, television commercials, and activity books until 1995. In 2014, Popsicle modernized Pete by including him as part of their "Original Gang," releasing comics, an original music video and other content on their Facebook page.
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