Ice cream was regarded an American institution. Although ice cream was considered a year-round treat, ice cream was most popular during the summer season. The history of ice cream could be found dating back to the Roman Emperor Nero Claudius Ceasar (54-86AD). In 1295, Marco Polo reportedly brought back to Italy from the Far East the first known recipe of "an ice dessert made with milk." And in 1533 when Catherine de' Medici left Tuscany for France to marry French King Henry II, she brought along her Florentine chefs who were specialized in making ice cream. Soon ice cream popularity crossed from France to England. It was understood, "Ice cream was then the exclusive treat of Royalty, who kept the recipe from common folk."
In the New World, the first official account of ice cream could be found in a letter written in 1700 by a guest of Governor William Bladen of Maryland. In 1776, the first American ice cream parlor was opened in New York City. In 1846, Nancy Johnson invented a hand-cranked ice cream maker. In 1851, Jacob Fussell of Baltimore opened the first American ice cream factory, making ice cream from the excess milk and cream at his plant. By 1899, some 5 million gallons of ice cream had been produced in the United States.
It was noted, "During the late 1890s, in response to religious criticism for eating 'sinfully' rich ice cream sodas on Sundays, ice cream merchants left out the carbonated water and invented the famous ice cream 'Sunday'. The spelling was later changed to 'sundae' to remove any connection with the Sabbath." In 1904, the waffle cone was invented at the St. Louis World’s Fair. It was mentioned, "North Americans have developed a wicked craving since (ice cream) was first introduced in cone form at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904." By 1919, ice cream production had grown to over 150 million gallons.
"Like other American industries," it was reported, "the ice cream industry grew because of technological innovations in steam power, mechanical refrigeration, the homogenizer, electric power and motors, packing machines, and new freezing processes and equipment." In the old days, there were said to be only 3 ice cream flavors: strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. When Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream was opened in 1945, it introduced 31 flavors. "Frankly, I never met a flavor I didn't like," Irvine Robbins told the press. "Everybody has a proprietary interest in ice cream. All you have to do is mention ice cream and everybody has a flavor."
"Like other American industries," it was reported, "the ice cream industry grew because of technological innovations in steam power, mechanical refrigeration, the homogenizer, electric power and motors, packing machines, and new freezing processes and equipment." In the old days, there were said to be only 3 ice cream flavors: strawberry, chocolate and vanilla. When Baskin-Robbins 31 Ice Cream was opened in 1945, it introduced 31 flavors. "Frankly, I never met a flavor I didn't like," Irvine Robbins told the press. "Everybody has a proprietary interest in ice cream. All you have to do is mention ice cream and everybody has a flavor."
In December 1975, the American Dayvilles 32 flavors ice cream parlor was opened in Britain. Leslie Slote who was the former press secretary under both Mayor Robert Wagner of New York City and Governor Nelson Rockefeller made the comment, "When an American comes to London he tries to find an agreeable substitute for the things he misses. I began an immediate search for ice cream. To my horror, I discovered that there was no good ice cream in the whole United Kingdom. I immediately went into a state of depression which has only recently lifted."
In 1984 the U.S. Congress declared the month of July was the National Ice Cream month, and the second Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. As reported, "By 1920, ice cream had become so identified with American culture that the Commissioner of Ellis Island decided to include ice cream – a taste of something truly American – in all arriving immigrants' first American meal."
In 1984 the U.S. Congress declared the month of July was the National Ice Cream month, and the second Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day. As reported, "By 1920, ice cream had become so identified with American culture that the Commissioner of Ellis Island decided to include ice cream – a taste of something truly American – in all arriving immigrants' first American meal."
