Frank Epperson

Francis William "Frank" Epperson (August 11, 1894 – October 22, 1983) was an American inventor and real estate agent best known for creating the ice pop, more commonly known as the Popsicle.

Early life

Epperson was born in San Francisco, California in 1894. His family moved across the bay to Oakland around 1907. In 1905, Epperson allegedly left a glass of powdered soda mix and water with a wooden stirring stick on the back porch overnight.

A 2022 San Francisco Gate investigation found that the only time between Epperson's birth in 1894 and his application for a patent in 1924 that San Francisco had reached freezing temperatures was in 1922, 15 years after Epperson had moved to Oakland. In 1922, he presented the "Epsicle" for the first time at a fireman's ball. Epperson applied for a patent for a "frozen confection of attractive appearance, which can be conveniently consumed without contamination by contact with the hand and without the need for a plate, spoon, fork or other implement." The United States Patent and Trademark Office granted the patent (No. 1,505,592) on August 19, 1924.

Epperson's patent was for a "frozen confectionary". When the 'Epsicle' grew in popularity, it became known as the 'popsicle', a name which Epperson did not have trademarked. The treat was sold as a 'popsicle' by the Popsicle corporation, and while Epperson originally received royalties from Popsicle sales, he ended up having to sell his patent rights as a result of the Great Depression.

Death

Epperson died on October 22, 1983, at the age of 89. He is buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. His grave is featured on an annual "Food Tour" celebrating local food pioneers, including Domingo Ghirardelli, Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron, and the Folger Coffee family.