The Iconic Pop Bombshell Debuted in Kansas City, Inspired by the Cold War

National Bombshell Day is celebrated every year on the last Thursday in June. In 2024, it falls on June 27.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Although most people have heard of the Bomb Pop, or have probably even enjoyed one themselves, few people know that this iconic Fourth of July treat originated right here in Kansas City.

National Bomb Pop Day is celebrated on the last Thursday of June each year. In 2024, it falls on June 27. In honor of this iconic summer treat turning 69 this year, here’s a little history on the Bomb Pop.

On July 30, 1955, DS “Doc” Abernathy and James S. Merritt created the stacked popsicle for Merritt Foods in Kansas City, Missouri. The original three flavors of the Bomb Pop were cherry, lime, and blue raspberry.

While the iconic popsicle may bring to mind classic American culture, cooling off on a long summer day, hearing an ice cream truck down the street, or Independence Day, the Bomb Pop is tied to another, less joyous element of American culture and history – the Cold War.

After the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953, the mid-fifties were certainly not the most formidable period of the feud between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, the Warsaw Pact had been signed only a few months before the creation of the Bomb Pop and American troops had been withdrawn from Korea less than a year earlier.

That being said, it’s safe to say that this missile-shaped, red, white, and blue frozen treat probably took a bit of inspiration from world events happening at the time of its creation.

It’s only fitting that the popularity of Bomb Pop has created its own war. In 1989, Popsicle released its own candy mimicking the Bomb Pop, called Firecracker Pop. The Firecracker Pop followed a similar design and featured the same color scheme as the Bomb Pop.

In 2014, Unilever, the seller of Firecracker Pop, filed a lawsuit against Wells, the seller of Bomb Pop, claiming that the Bomb Pop’s packaging was similar to that of Firecracker Pop.

Just under a month later, Wells filed a counterclaim alleging false advertising, trademark infringement and related claims under state law. Wells said Unilever engaged in false advertising by claiming that the Firecracker Pop was “the original” on the packaging.

The court ultimately agreed with Wells, even after Unilever argued that “The Original” simply meant that it was not another variety of the candy, such as a diet or unsalted version.