The History of Bomb Pops

The Bomb Pop was created by D.S. Abernethy and James S. Merritt in Kansas City, Missouri on July 30, 1955. The popsicles featured a patriotic tri-color design with red, white, and blue sections and each of these had a different flavor: cherry, lime, and blue raspberry. The name Bomb Pop was selected and the popsicles were designed with a star-like shape that was (ominously) meant to resemble a six-finned bomb. The name, design, and color scheme were all intentional: when Bomb Pops were created, the Cold War was beginning and not only was nuclear war a frequently discussed topic, but patriotic fervor among Americans was high. Abernethy and Merritt capitalized on this to help popularize their product, which caught on quickly. In 1989, the Popsicle brand introduced a competitor product called the Firecracker Pop, which was similarly shaped but ostensibly meant to resemble a firecracker rather than a missile. Other brands have also released their own versions of patriotic popsicles. Both the original Bomb Pop and these newer versions remain popular today and are often associated with the Fourth of July due to their patriotic colors. Notably, Bomb Pops also come in a variety of other flavors, each with their own unique tri-color design, but the original version remains the most popular. In recent years, some consumers have reported quality issues with Bomb Pops purchased online, but the popsicles are still widely available at many grocery stores and ice cream trucks and are beloved by many. Today, Bomb Pops are still closely associated with Fourth of July celebrations and other summertime celebrations.