How an 11-Year-Old Conquered the World with a Simple Idea
In the early 20th century, 11-year-old Frank Epperson stumbled upon something we all know and love today. After a day of playing, he left a glass of lemonade with a stirring stick on the porch. That night, temperatures dropped, and the next morning he found the glass with frozen lemonade and the stick inside. Curious as ever, he licked the ice and realized he had discovered something extraordinary: the popsicle!
This accidental discovery eventually turned into a worldwide phenomenon. At first, Epperson shared his frozen treat with friends and family. During a local firemen’s event, he introduced his creation to a broader audience, where it was enthusiastically received.
Encouraged by this excitement, Epperson began selling his popsicles at an amusement park in California. Initially, he called his creation the “Epsicle,” a combination of his name and “icicle.” However, at his children’s urging, he later changed the name to “Popsicle.” In 1924, he patented his “frozen confection on a stick.” The business steadily grew, and in the 1930s, the double-stick version was introduced, allowing two kids to share one popsicle for just a nickel. During the Great Depression, it became a symbol of affordable treats.
Today, there are over 30 variations of the original Popsicle, with more than 2 billion sold annually worldwide. Flavors range from classics like cherry and orange to exotic options like mojito and avocado. Yet, cherry remains the favorite among fans.
An Uninhibited, Curious Mindset as a Source of Inspiration
The delightful, uninhibited, and curious way children think—paired with the inspiring story of an 11-year-old inventor—sparked something in me. It became one of the core inspirations for the founding of ConsultingKids and our workshops, Thinking Like a Child for Professionals.
After all, how amazing would it be to harness this type of thinking and untamed creativity to tackle organizational challenges like change, collaboration, leadership, policy development, or strategy execution?
It’s fascinating, isn’t it?
P.S. The photo shows an older Frank Epperson with his granddaughter.