Frank Epperson, the clever San Francisco lad who invented the popsicle (in 1905, at age 11), went out and patented it (when he was grown up). He didn’t even mean to invent anything. He just left some soda powder and water and a stirring stick out on the porch overnight and there was a cold snap and the inevitable happened. After the inevitable happened though, he waited 18 years to do something about it. Eighteen years! That’s a lot of hot summers without popsicles, Frank.
And it is thanks to him that today is National Grape Popiscle Day.
Today we celebrate not merely the popsicle, but the grape popsicle. Some people think that these are the best kind (usually children) and others (They Who Do The Laundry) think that these are the worst kind for getting the stains off of clothing after said children consume them.
Frank Epperson patented the popsicle in 1924, 2 years after they were first sold at Alameda, California. Epperson called his little frozen treats Epsicles, but his children came up with a better name. Hence the Popsicle. I like it! I think we’ve got something here.
What we’ve got is lots and lots of popsicles. We also have some links:
A Grape Popsicle Cocktail for the grownups, at GroupRecipes.
This guy made up the Popsicle Diet, which includes 15 grape popsicles a day (out of 50 total). He is kidding, of course (and also he forgot to include lemon popsicles, which cleanse the palate as everyone knows.)
The lovely picture of real grapes is from 
here. Frozen grapes are good in the summer, too.
National Grape Popsicle Day?! How could I not have known? I Love grape popsicles! I’ll have to tell my kids. I also like the patent diagrams. They’re pretty even!
Becky
Who knew popsicle construction could be so complicated?
I was such a grape soda addict when I was a kid. Haven’t had any in years, but that Grape Popsicle Cocktail sounds like it might be fun!
Becky – They are popular at our house too. I can’t believe I didn’t even have any around for yesterday (cue the disappointment).
Bill – Or that they required their own patent…
T.W. – Grape soda would probably work in that drink, or maybe grape soda and vodka would.
What? The popsicle wasn’t invented in Chicago? Pity… Great post! I love these strange bits of history.
Sharon – I know, I was kind of hoping for New York City, but I guess we will have to give this one to SF.