There’s something truly invigorating about an ice-cold drink on a sweltering summer day. This notion sparked the creation of ICEE over 60 years ago, simultaneously paving the way for one of the most iconic mascots to don his unmistakable red sweater.
The phrase “look on the bright side” is a reminder that even when things get tough, there’s usually a silver lining to discover if we take a moment to look for it. Omar Knedlik, an American inventor and businessman, didn’t have to look far for his after experiencing a hot summer day in Coffeyville, Kansas. As the story goes, Knedlik’s soda fountain was malfunctioning so being an entrepreneurial thinker, he decided to stock up on glass bottles of Coca-Cola and put them in the freezer.
A funny thing happened when the ice-cold sodas were opened: the exposure to air caused the liquid inside to instantly transform into an icy slush. This was a happy accident. By placing the soda bottles in the freezer, the liquid chilled rapidly. However, because the inner surface of the glass is so smooth, there are no points for ice to start forming— to sound smart, there is a lack of nucleation points. As a result, the soda became what is called a supercooled liquid, meaning it is colder than its freezing point without turning into ice. When customers would pop the bottle caps off, the sudden exposure to air caused the liquid to flash freeze. This is also why ICEE machines today have that mesmerizing spinning dial; it keeps the liquid moving, preventing it from freezing.
The slushy sodas quickly became an instant sensation, and customers began to flock to Dairy Queen, which Knedlik owned, specifically requesting these frosty treats, even after he had his soda fountains up and running again. To ensure a consistent product, Knedlik developed a machine and received a patent for it in 1960. With the machinery ready, he needed a name and a mascot to capture the public’s attention for his new brand. He enlisted the help of artist Ruth Taylor, who coined the name “ICEE” and designed the company’s first logo.
Initially, the popular polar bear mascot, officially named “ICEE Bear,” started as a cub but quickly grew into a fully grown polar bear wearing his iconic red sweater. This design was reminiscent of the legendary Hanna-Barbera creation Yogi Bear, which had debuted a few years earlier in 1958.
Since ICEE Bear was introduced to the world, the mascot has evolved in appearance over time. ICEE Bear underwent a more extreme transformation in the 1990s during the rise of skateboarding culture. He became a skateboarder, donned jeans and sunglasses, and embraced a rebellious persona akin to Bart Simpson’s.
As animation evolved from the Hanna-Barbera style of the ’60s and ’70s to the more adolescent themes of ‘90s cartoons like The Simpsons, Batman: The Animated Series, and Ren and Stimpy, animation began to push the boundaries of expectations for animation storytelling past the previous decades, and ICEE Bear followed suit. This version of ICEE Bear is perhaps the most iconic, representing a period of rapid growth for the company, as ICEE expanded into cinemas, gas stations, and convenience stores.
Nowadays, ICEE Bear is pushing 70 and has toned down his rebellious spirit into more of a chill guy (pun intended). ICEE Bears’ growing legacy is part of his charm. In real-time, on the cup of every ICEE, we have seen him grow from a cub to adulthood, and that is far more than many other food mascots can say. No matter the decade, any generation has seen ICEE Bear grace their cup at some point in his life.
The ICED OUT graphic tee is now available in the Winter 2024 collection.
