Sunday, July 20, 2014

Lollipop, Lollipop...Oh lolli lolli lolli!

July 20 is...

National Lollipop Day

Let's begin the celebration with a step back in time to The Chordettes, one of the longest-lived vocal groups with roots in the mainstream pop and vocal harmonies of the 1940s and early 1950s. The Chordettes were a female vocal group from Sheboygan, Wisconsin who formed in 1946 by Jinny Lockard and three of her college friends. They became regulars on Arthur Godfrey's television show for 4 years in 1949, singing a cappella in the barbershop style. They first established themselves with "Mr. Sandman" in 1954 which stayed at #1 for 7 weeks.

A Bit of Lollipop History...

Think back to days when one used a stick to poke a beehive; then, the honey was scraped off the stick. We are probably dating back to prehistoric man with this initial vision. The honey would then be licked off the stick possibly marking the beginning for what we know today as the lollipop.

Candy confections go as far back as ancient times - Arabs, Chinese and Egyptians, who made fruit and nut confections with honey that always brought on a smile. These would lend themselves to being eaten from sticks owing to the stickiness of the concoction. However, the lollipop as we know it today possibly dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe. During that time, sugar was boiled and formed onto sticks. Such treats were enjoyed by the wealthy since they were the only ones who could afford sugar.

By the 17th century when sugar was again plentiful and affordable, boiled sugar (hard candy) treats were available, especially in England. The word "lollipop" (originally spelled lollypop) first appears in print in 1784, roughly coinciding with the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. During the Civil War, it is believed that little pieces of hard candy were put on the ends of pencils for children to nibble. The merchandizing of lollipops came about in the latter part of the 18th century. Horehound drops, lemon drops, peppermints and wintergreen lozenges became everyday candies.

Far beyond the Blow Pops, Charms, Chupa Chups, Dum Dums, Jolly Ranchers, Rainbow Swirls, Tootsie Pops and more of childhood, today's lollipops come in all shapes and sizes, from hand-crafted works of sugar art to spicy pops, caffeinated Java Pops, bacon lollipops and crispy critters molded in the hardened candy. Click each image!