The Story of the Bomb Pop’s Invention in KC
1973 Bomb Pop packaging
The Bomb Pop, one of America’s most iconic frozen treats, was born in Kansas City during a time of patriotic fervor and Cold War tension. On July 30, 1955, D.S. “Doc” Abernethy and James S. Merritt of Merritt Foods introduced the red, white, and blue popsicle that would become a staple of summer for generations. The inspiration came during a car ride from Memphis to Kansas City as the two brainstormed a new kind of ice pop - something eye-catching, multi-flavored, and uniquely American. Their idea took shape as a rocket-inspired design with six fins, a nod to both the space race and the nuclear age. The color scheme consisted of cherry red, lime white, and blue raspberry and was a deliberate expression of post-war American pride.
Launched in the heat of summer, the Bomb Pop quickly gained popularity, especially around the Fourth of July. Unlike traditional popsicles, the Bomb Pop was stacked in three layers, each with its own flavor, making it both visually striking and fun to eat. Early marketing emphasized its bold patriotic design and the novelty of its multi-flavor experience.
1970s patent filing regarding the production of Bomb Pops
By 1971, the Bomb Pop was officially trademarked, and a few years later, in 1975, Merritt Foods president James W. Wilkerson secured a patent for the treat. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, the Bomb Pop cemented its place in ice cream trucks and convenience stores across the country. It became part of childhood memories, family picnics, and countless backyard barbecues.
In 1991, Merritt Foods closed its doors, and the Bomb Pop might have vanished if not for Wells Dairy of Le Mars, Iowa, which acquired the brand. Under Wells’ ownership, the Bomb Pop line expanded significantly, both in flavor variety and national reach. New versions included tie-ins with popular candies like Jolly Rancher and Warheads, as well as limited-edition collaborations with Disney characters like Buzz Lightyear. Wells also established National Bomb Pop Day in 2005, celebrated every year on the last Thursday of June.
The Bomb Pop hasn’t escaped competition. In 1989, Popsicle launched its own tricolor treat, the Firecracker Pop, sparking a drawn-out legal battle over packaging and claims of originality. Despite the rivalry, and the eventual entry of Nestlé’s Triple Rocket, the original Bomb Pop has maintained its nostalgic appeal and market dominance.
Today, the Bomb Pop is available in more than a dozen flavors, but the original cherry-lime-blue raspberry combination remains the most beloved, and it can be traced back over 70 years to Kansas City.
