The True Story Behind the Popsicle: From a Simple Mistake to the World’s Favorite Summer Treat

The Invention of the Popsicle by Frank Epperson

Frank Epperson, the inventor of the Popsicle, accidentally discovered one of the world’s most beloved summer desserts in 1905 when he was just 11 years old.

At the time, Frank was mixing a powdered drink with water using a wooden stir stick. By chance, he left the mixture outdoors overnight. The low temperatures caused the drink to freeze solid, and the next morning, Frank curiously removed the frozen treat by pulling on the wooden stick. To his surprise, he found that this frozen dessert was both delicious and easy to eat.

Years later, in 1923, Frank decided to take this idea more seriously. He served these frozen treats at a social event, where they were met with enthusiastic approval. In 1924, he officially patented his creation under the name “Eppsicle”—a combination of his last name, Epperson, and the word “icicle.”

Later, his family started referring to the dessert as “Popsicle”, combining the words “Pop” (a nickname for father) and “Sicle.”

The product quickly gained popularity, and Frank successfully turned it into a thriving business. Today, the Popsicle remains one of the most popular summer desserts worldwide, enjoyed by millions of people each year.