Popsicles are a summer staple, a go-to treat for cooling off on a hot day, and a nostalgic snack that brings back childhood memories for many. But beyond their icy goodness and vibrant colors, there’s a lot more to these frozen delights than meets the eye. From accidental inventions to space travel, the history and quirks of Popsicles are as fascinating as they are delicious. Here are 10 fun facts about Popsicles you probably didn’t know.
1. Popsicles Were Invented by an 11-Year-Old—By Accident!
The story of the Popsicle begins not in a lab or a kitchen, but with a curious kid and a chilly night. In 1905, 11-year-old Frank Epperson from San Francisco was mixing a powdered soda drink with water on his porch. He stirred it with a wooden stick, but as kids do, he got distracted and left it outside overnight. The temperature dropped, and by morning, he found his drink frozen solid with the stick still in it. He pulled it out, licked it, and—voilà!—the first Popsicle was born.
Epperson didn’t immediately turn his discovery into a business, though. It wasn’t until 1923, nearly two decades later, that he patented his “frozen ice on a stick” idea, originally calling it the “Epsicle.” His kids, however, called it “Pop’s ‘sicle,” and the name stuck. Today, that happy accident is celebrated as the origin of a treat enjoyed by millions worldwide.
2. The Original Popsicle Had Seven Flavors
When Frank Epperson started selling his Popsicles commercially in the 1920s, he didn’t settle for just one flavor. The original lineup included seven: lemon, cherry, orange, grape, root beer, banana, and watermelon. These flavors were a hit at places like amusement parks and beaches, where people lined up for a refreshing 5-cent treat.
While some of these—like root beer and banana—aren’t as common today, the variety showed Epperson’s creativity from the start. Modern Popsicle flavors have evolved, but cherry, orange, and grape remain classics, proving that some things never go out of style.
3. Popsicles Went to Space
Popsicles aren’t just an Earth-bound treat—they’ve made it to outer space! In 1982, astronauts aboard NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia enjoyed Popsicles as part of their menu. These weren’t your average stick pops, though; they were specially designed freeze-dried versions to suit the zero-gravity environment. The flavors? Orange and grape, of course—two of the originals.
This cosmic journey wasn’t just a gimmick. Freeze-dried Popsicles were a way to bring a taste of home to astronauts while keeping things lightweight and shelf-stable. So, next time you enjoy a Popsicle, remember it’s a treat that’s literally out of this world.
4. The Double-Stick Design Was a Depression-Era Innovation
Ever wonder why some Popsicles come with two sticks? It’s not just for sharing (though that’s a bonus). During the Great Depression in the 1930s, Popsicle sales took a hit as families tightened their budgets. To keep the treat affordable, the Popsicle company introduced the twin-stick version. For a nickel, you could buy one and snap it in half to share with a friend—or save half for later.
The design was a brilliant marketing move, turning a single treat into a communal experience during tough times. While single-stick Popsicles are more common now, the double-stick variety still pops up, a sweet nod to its resourceful past.
5. Popsicles Have Their Own Holiday
If you’re looking for an excuse to indulge, mark your calendar for August 26—it’s National Popsicle Day in the United States! This unofficial holiday celebrates Frank Epperson’s accidental invention and the joy Popsicles have brought to generations. While its origins are murky (no one’s quite sure who declared it), it’s a day when fans of the frozen treat can enjoy one guilt-free—or maybe try making their own.
Speaking of which, homemade Popsicles have surged in popularity, with recipes ranging from fruity blends to boozy adult versions. So, whether you grab a store-bought classic or DIY your own, August 26 is the perfect day to celebrate.
6. The Popsicle Brand Faced a Trademark Battle
You might think of “Popsicle” as a generic term for any ice pop, but it’s actually a trademarked name owned by Unilever, which acquired the brand through its Good Humor division. Back in the 1920s, when Frank Epperson patented his invention, he sold the rights to the Joe Lowe Company, which popularized the treat. But as competitors started making their own “popsicles,” legal battles ensued.
In the 1930s, the Popsicle company sued rival brands to protect its name, cementing “Popsicle” as a specific brand rather than a catch-all term. That’s why you’ll see knockoffs labeled as “ice pops” or “freezer pops” instead. It’s a rare case of a brand name sticking so well that people forget it’s not generic—like Kleenex or Band-Aid.
7. Popsicles Helped Fight Polio
Here’s a surprising twist: Popsicles played a role in medical history. In the 1940s and ’50s, during the height of the polio epidemic, doctors discovered that Popsicles could help ease sore throats and keep young patients hydrated. The cold treat soothed discomfort and encouraged kids to take in fluids when they might otherwise refuse.
Hospitals stocked up on Popsicles, and parents saw them as a small comfort during a scary time. It’s a heartwarming footnote in Popsicle history—proof that this simple snack has been more than just a dessert.
8. There’s a World Record for Eating Popsicles
How many Popsicles can you eat in one sitting? For most of us, a couple might be enough, but one man took it to an extreme. In 2004, Kevin Strahle—better known as “L.A. Beast”—set a world record by eating 12 Popsicles in just one minute. That’s a brain-freeze-inducing feat, requiring not just speed but a tolerance for icy overload.
Strahle, a competitive eater and YouTube personality, pulled it off with classic cherry, grape, and orange Popsicles.
While it’s not an official Guinness World Record (those rules are stricter), it’s still a jaw-dropping achievement that proves Popsicles can inspire some wild stunts.
9. Popsicles Inspired a Song (and a Catchphrase)
Popsicles have popped up in pop culture too. In 1965, the British rock band The Pretty Things released a song called “Buzz the Jerk,” which included the line, “She’s crazy ’bout Popsicles.” It’s a quirky little reference that shows how ingrained the treat was in mid-20th-century life.
But the real cultural gem came later. In the 1980s, Popsicle ads featured the catchy slogan, “Popsicle—makes you wanna burst!” It stuck with kids who grew up watching those commercials, turning a simple jingle into a nostalgic earworm. Even today, it’s a phrase that might pop into your head as you unwrap a cold one.
10. The Science of Popsicles Is Cooler Than You Think
Ever wonder why Popsicles don’t freeze into solid blocks like ice cubes? It’s all about the science of sugar and temperature. Popsicles are a mix of water, sugar, and flavorings, and the sugar lowers the freezing point. This keeps the texture soft and slushy rather than rock-hard, making them easy to bite into or lick.
Food scientists call this “depressing the freezing point,” and it’s the same principle behind ice cream and sorbet. Add in some stabilizers like gelatin or guar gum (common in commercial Popsicles), and you get that signature consistency. So, every time you enjoy a Popsicle, you’re tasting a little bit of chemistry in action.
Popsicles: More Than Just a Treat
From a kid’s backyard experiment to a global phenomenon, Popsicles have come a long way since 1905. They’ve survived economic downturns, inspired innovations, and even helped humanity in small but meaningful ways.
Whether you’re a fan of the classic flavors or prefer to whip up your own gourmet versions, there’s no denying the Popsicle’s staying power.
Next time you grab one from the freezer, take a moment to appreciate its wild history. It’s not just a dessert—it’s a story on a stick, packed with surprises and a whole lot of fun. What’s your favorite Popsicle memory? Maybe it’s time to make a new one.
References for “10 Fun Facts About Popsicles You Probably Didn’t Know”
- Frank Epperson’s Invention Story
- Source: Popsicle’s official brand history via Unilever (owner of the Popsicle brand).
- Details: The story of 11-year-old Frank Epperson accidentally inventing the Popsicle in 1905 is well-documented in the brand’s lore. Available on the Popsicle website (popsicle.com) under “Our History.”
- Original Flavors
- Source: Historical accounts from early 20th-century food marketing and Popsicle advertisements.
- Details: Early flavor lists are noted in articles about Popsicle’s evolution, such as those found in food history blogs or books like The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink (Edited by Andrew F. Smith, 2007).
- Popsicles in Space
- Source: NASA archives and popular science articles.
- Details: The Space Shuttle Columbia mission (STS-4, 1982) included freeze-dried foods, with mentions of Popsicles in secondary sources like Astronaut’s Cookbook by Charles T. Bourland (2010).
- Double-Stick Design and the Great Depression
- Source: Marketing history and Popsicle brand retrospectives.
- Details: The twin-stick innovation is often cited in business history articles, such as those on Good Humor’s website or in The Ice Cream Trade Journal archives from the 1930s.
- National Popsicle Day
- Source: Unofficial holiday listings and food celebration websites.
- Details: August 26 is noted as National Popsicle Day on sites like National Day Calendar (nationaldaycalendar.com), though its origins are anecdotal.
- Trademark Battle
- Source: Legal and business history records.
- Details: The Popsicle trademark disputes are referenced in Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name by Stephen Elias (2001) and Unilever’s brand documentation.
- Popsicles and Polio
- Source: Medical history anecdotes and mid-20th-century parenting accounts.
- Details: Use of Popsicles in hospitals is mentioned in oral histories and articles like those in The Polio Years in Texas by Heather Green Wooten (2009).
- World Record for Eating Popsicles
- Source: Competitive eating community and YouTube documentation.
- Details: Kevin Strahle’s feat is self-documented on his YouTube channel “L.A. Beast” (uploaded circa 2004), though not officially recognized by Guinness.
- Popsicles in Pop Culture
- Source: Music archives and advertising history.
- Details: The Pretty Things’ song is verifiable via lyrics databases, and the 1980s slogan is recalled from vintage Popsicle commercials archived online (e.g., YouTube retro ad compilations).
- Science of Popsicles
- Source: Basic food science principles.
- Details: Freezing point depression and stabilizers are explained in texts like On Food and Cooking by Harold McGee (2004), a staple in food science education.
