The History of the Bomb Pop: From Cold War to Summer Icon

The Bomb Pop, a red-white-and-blue popsicle created in Kansas City in July 1955, transitioned from a Cold War novelty to a staple of American summer. Invented by Durant “Doc” Abernethy and Jim Merritt, the missile-shaped treat sparked national debate during the Vietnam War over the glorification of military weaponry.

The treat’s creation began in Memphis, Tennessee, where Abernethy, a former engineering student, worked in an airplane factory building B-25s, B-26 Marauders, and B-29 Superfortresses, according to his son, Rick Abernethy. He eventually partnered with Jim Merritt, a former U.S. Army Air Corps navigator and major who had flown bombing missions during World War II, as recalled by Merritt’s daughter, Patricia Lear.

By the early 1950s, the pair moved their operations to Kansas City, Missouri, forming the James S. Merritt Company, later known as Merritt Foods. To compete with established dairies, they avoided traditional ice cream tubs and focused on exotic novelty bars. Abernethy conducted early market research by showing popsicle sketches to sixth-grade students to determine preferred colors and shapes, Rick Abernethy said.

Did You Know? The Bomb Pop’s signature fins weren’t just for aesthetics; according to Rick Abernethy, the fins allowed the popsicles to freeze faster during production.

How was the Bomb Pop designed?

The Bomb Pop debuted in July 1955 during the Cold War and the burgeoning Space Race. Patricia Lear recalls the family using clay in their den to experiment with different shapes. While some viewed the design as a rocket, Lear stated the treat was “literally a bomb” because her father had dropped bombs during the war.

The product launched with various iterations, including “Acme Missile Bombs,” “Super Star Bombs,” and “Bubble Gum Bombs.” The most famous version features a stacked trifecta of cherry, lime, and blue raspberry flavors. By 1970, the Kansas City Star reported that Merritt Foods’ output had increased more than 12 times over a decade.

Why did the Bomb Pop cause controversy?

During the Vietnam War, the treat became a target for parents who objected to the intersection of war and confectionery. In a July 1974 letter to the Ithaca Journal, Maxime Golub called it “irresponsible” to make a product attractive to children and name it a “Bomb Pop,” arguing it implied bombs were “a fun thing to be enjoyed.”

Oma Miller wrote to the Kansas City Star in June 1973, describing the treat as “deplorable” for suggesting that “bombing and killing of people is perfectly American, cool and delicious.” In August 1972, the Times of Trenton reported a mother forced her six-year-old to return a Bomb Pop to a 7-Eleven store, shouting that the company “glorify everything.”

Patriotic History Of The Bomb Pop

Durant Abernethy told a reporter in 1972 that he received approximately 30 complaint letters from advocacy groups, including “Moms for Peace.” He maintained the treat was not a political statement, describing them as “bombs for peace, not war.”

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that the Bomb Pop’s trajectory reflects a broader cultural tension where commercial products mirrored the geopolitical anxieties of the era. The shift from a “bomb” to a “rocket” in the public consciousness illustrates how brands can pivot imagery to align with national pride, such as the Space Race, to mitigate political backlash.

What happened to Merritt Foods?

The Southland Corporation, parent company of 7-Eleven, acquired Merritt Foods in 1981. This move placed the novelties in convenience stores nationwide. However, manufacturing ceased in Kansas City in 1991 when Southland closed the Merritt Foods subsidiary.

The Original Bomb Pop is currently produced by Wells Enterprises, a family-owned manufacturer based in Le Mars, Iowa. The company now offers more than a dozen tricolored flavors, including versions featuring Nerds and Shrek. Other competitors, such as Walmart’s “Freedom Pops” and Popsicle’s “Firecracker” pops, have since entered the market.

Abernethy, who also invented Dole Frozen Dessert Bars and novelty shapes like the Pink Panther and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, died in Kansas City in 1994 at age 73, according to Rick Abernethy.

Given the current ownership by Wells Enterprises, the product may continue to expand its flavor profiles or could see further integration into seasonal Americana marketing as the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the Bomb Pop?
The Bomb Pop was created by Durant “Doc” Abernethy and Jim Merritt in Kansas City, Missouri.

What are the original flavors of the red, white, and blue Bomb Pop?
The flavors are cherry, lime, and blue raspberry, in that order.

Where is the Bomb Pop manufactured today?
It is now made by Wells Enterprises in Le Mars, Iowa.

Do you think the name “Bomb Pop” still carries the same meaning today as it did during the Vietnam War?