Bomb Pops are a classic summertime treat and an ice cream truck icon. But did you know that they also represented the beginning of a revolution that would take ice cream novelties to new heights and lows of shape and design? This is the story of Bomb Pops and the company that invented them.
Bomb Pop Sources
“The Campbells Buy on Poplar,” The Memphis Press-Scimitar, Jul 1, 1954
“Now You Can Do Tricks with Ice Cream Sticks,” Joe Roberts, The Kansas City Star, Aug 10, 1958
“To Ad Agency Post,” The Kansas City Star, Aug 20, 1958
Ice Cream Review, Vol. 42, 1958
“Ice Cream Firm Sold,” The Kansas City Times, Nov 7, 1969
“Deaths: James S. Merritt,” The Kansas City Times, Jul 23, 1970
“Evenn in Ice Cream,” Speaking the Public Mind, The Kansas City Star, Jun 24, 1973
“An Ice Cream Bomb?,” Our Readers’ View, The Ithaca Journal, Jul 5, 1974
“How About Frooty Patooty to Brighten the Day?” Kathy Reese, Livingston County Daily Press, Jul 7, 1976
“Ice Cream man Savors Tasty Travels,” Carol Damioli, The Times Herald, Aug 7, 1977
“It’s the Ice Cream Man,” Chris Gladden, The Roanoke Times, Aug 1, 1978
“It’s ‘Bombs Away!’ for This Ice Cream Man,” Diana Stafford, The Kansas City Star, May 13, 1980
“Hot Item.” Fred Bankston, The Columbus Ledger, Jul 1, 1980
“Laser Lancer, Crunch Bomb are Ice-Cream War Weapons,” Anne DeLotto, The Tampa Times, Aug 15, 1980
“7-Eleven Operator Southland Buys Merritt Foods, Maker of Bomb Pop,” Diane Stafford, The Kansas City Star, Aug 24, 1981
“Kids Just Plain Happy When the Ice Cream Truck Comes,” Bob Banta, The Palm Beach Post, Jul 24, 1983
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Taste Success as Frozen Treat,” Vafa Payman, Poughkeepsie Journal, Jul 4, 1990
“Merritt Foods Will Close in November,” Jennifer Mann Fuller, The Kansas City Star, Oct 2, 1991
“Ice Cream Lovers Near, Far Get a Taste of Wells’ Best,” William Ryberg, The Des Moines Register, Feb 23, 1992
“D.S. Abernethy,” The Kansas City Star, Feb 27, 1994
“U.S. Urges New Rules to Guard Privacy of Children on Internet,” Stephen Labaton, The New York Times, Apr 21, 1999
“Popsicle Sticks It to Look-Alike Rival,” Daniel Beekman, Daily News, Apr 1, 2014
“False Advertising Bombs and Firecrackers,” Ira Sacks, Akerman LLP, JD Supra, Jun 2, 2015
“Bomb Pops: Summer’s Iconic Patriotic Treat Created in KC,” Lisa Gutierrez, The Kansas City Star, Jul 30, 2023
“The Fascinating Story Behind Patriotic Bomb Pop and Firecracker Popsicles,” Kevin Farrell, USA Today, Jul 4, 2024
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