Bomb Pop, created in Kansas City, celebrates 70 years with nickel treats for fans
.png "Bomb Pop, a favorite summertime treat created in Kansas City, celebrates its 70th birthday this summer.")
As you slurp on that rocket-shaped frozen treat today — on National Bomb Pop Day — feel free to thank the two Kansas City guys who created that icy treat 70 years ago this summer.
Bomb Pops were created right here in Kansas City by D.S. Abernethy and James S. Merritt of Merritt Foods on July 30, 1955.
They invented it, ironically, during the Cold War between the United States and the then-Soviet Union, “at the outset of a period of patriotic frenzy in American history,” says the company.
“It seems almost poetic that amidst the threat of nuclear warfare, Abernethy and Merritt came up with a frozen treat to cool down temperaments all over the nation,” notes the website of National Bomb Pop Day, celebrated the last Thursday of June since 2005.
“The pop was shaped like a bomb with six fins, hence the name Bomb Pop, and its color scheme reflected the patriotic zeitgeist of America during the Cold War.”
They come with a warning: “This product, when extremely cold, may stick to warm lips or tongue. Allow to warm slightly before eating.”
They also star in such All-American recipes as La Bomb Pop Street Bowls — two Bomb Pops laid side-by-side in a dish, sprinkled with chili powder and sea salt and drizzled with strawberry chamoy sauce.
Because of the original and now iconic red, white and blue scheme, Bomb Pops are especially popular around the Fourth of July.
Just ask Taylor Swift.
Two years ago the treat scored a lot of free publicity when photos of megastar Swift and fellow entertainer Selena Gomez licking a Bomb Pop at Swift’s annual Fourth of July bash went viral.
Swift posted the photo just hours before she performed the first of two concerts in Kansas City that week — you know, the Eras Tour stop that changed the rotation of the Earth on its axis.
Chill. We’re kidding.
After Merritt Foods closed in 1991, the recipe and branding rights for Bomb Pops were obtained by Wells Dairy in Le Mars, Iowa — known as the ice cream capital of the world.
Wells Enterprises, parent company of Blue Bunny ice cream, continues to make Bomb Pops today.
The original Bomb Pop flavors still exist — cherry, lime and blue raspberry. There are way more flavors today, including watermelon, banana fudge, Candy Clash, Nerds, Extra Sour Tear Jerkers and Hawaiian Punch.
Today through July 30, the treat’s official birthday, fans can enter a contest to score a 12-pack of Bomb Pops for just five cents. Click here for details.
“The only thing from 1955 about Bomb Pop in 2025 is that birthday price tag,” Elizabeth Zigrang, senior associate brand manager for Bomb Pop, said in a news release.
“For 70 years, Bomb Pop has been more than an ice pop — it’s a red, white and blue icon that has been an integral part in making summertime memories across America. Bomb Pop will always be the ultimate symbol of summer.”
Bomb Pops are still standard fare on ice cream trucks and sold at some grocery stores, drug stores and most convenience stores. Check the website for “where to buy.”
This story was originally published June 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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