The History of Ice Cream Sandwiches

In Honor of National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, we are taking a look at the history behind this beloved summer treat. Ice cream sandwiches are thought to have originated around the turn of the 20th century. Back then, they were called “hokey pokeys” and sold by street vendors on the Bowery in New York City. They were made up of ice cream held together with two pieces of paper and cost just a penny. While they started out as a cheap treat for the working class, ice cream sandwiches caught on with Wall Street workers and fancy versions were soon being sold in restaurants. The modern version of the ice cream sandwich is thought to have come about in the 1940s and was often sold at baseball games. The invention of the modern version of the ice cream sandwich is often attributed to Jeremy Newberg, but in recent years this has been contested. Interestingly, while the ice cream sandwich is a distinctly American invention, other countries have similar treats of their own.