The generally accepted story of British dessert Eton mess is that a strawberry, meringue, and cream pudding was dropped at an Eton College vs. Harrow School cricket match in the late 19th century.
Rather than waste the food, it was simply scooped up off the floor and served as is in individual bowls. The first record of Eton mess ever published dates back to 1893.
Soda Floats
Soda floats are a classic explosion of cold refreshment that we haven’t thought much about since we graduated high school. The most well-known story of the soda float dates back to the late 19th century. Robert Green, an owner of a soda shop in Philly, would use carbonated water, sugar syrup, and cream to make beverages.
However, one day he ran out of whipped cream and decided to used ice cream instead. But this story has a few contenders, one where George Guy, one of Robert Green’s employees, alleges he was the inventor.
Licorice Allsorts
They're a must-have at the movies, a popular trick-or-treat snack, and good for just crunching away the stress of being an American. But did you know Licorice Allsorts has a fascinating history unparalleled among most other candy?
The idea for Bassetts Liquorice Allsorts was quite literally stumbled upon in 1899 when a fumbling company rep Charlie Thompson tripped over, sending rows of neatly separated sweets flying. On seeing the bright mix of shapes and colors jumbled together, a customer was inspired and immediately placed an order for a mixed delivery, which eventually snowballed into their success.
Jelly Beans
There seems to be an agreement among jelly bean experts and other knowledgeable beings about this candy's origins. Many experts believe jelly beans are a descendant of a Middle Eastern treat known as Turkish Delight.
If you're not familiar with Turkish Delight, it is a Turkish delicacy with a gummy-like center that is a mixture of starch, sugar, and chopped fruit or nuts. It was also in the mid-1800s when an unknown candy maker in Boston reportedly took Turkish Delights and experimented with them; eventually, he created a smooth shell — to form jelly beans as we know them today.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is the stuff of junior lunches, and there are days where you just need to eat a decent spoonful directly from the jar; it's so good. It's tasty, filling, and salty, and it's perfect when you pair it with chocolate, right?
You may have learned that George Washington Carver invented it ... but we'll have to stop you right there as that's just not true. The general idea of peanut butter goes a long way back — all the way to the Aztecs, who used to grind roasted peanuts into a paste to treat tooth pain as it was easy to swallow without chewing. Peanut butter was first patented back in 1884 in Montreal by Marcellus G. Edson.