By 
If, like most people, the ice cream man was an essential part of your summer growing up, then you've more likely than not stuffed your face with a Good Humor bar—and subsequently gotten melted chocolate all over your face. That's because the brand is nearly a century old and has continued to churn out family-favorite treats for both the local ice cream truck and the freezer aisle at your grocery store. But there is so much more to the brand than its original chocolate-coated pop. Here's everything you need to know before you pick up your next box of bars:
1. It all started in 1920 in Youngstown, OH.
After confectioner Harry Burt created a chocolate coating that could stick and harden on ice cream, he decided to share this sweet discovery with the masses.
2. Good Humor invented ice cream on a stick.
The company is credited with being the first to create ice cream pops after Burt's son suggested freezing the chocolate-covered ice cream with sticks inside to create a handle, making the treat much less messy to eat.
3. The company used ice cream to leverage a patent.
After waiting three years for a patent on his creation, Burt went straight to Washington, D.C. in 1923 with a five-gallon pail of his ice creams. He gave the patent officials his Good Humor bars to sample and voila—his patent was granted.
4. There were only 12 Good Humor trucks to start.
The street vending vehicles were outfitted with freezers and bells, which came from his son's bobsled. After that, the bars were also sold from tricycles and push carts.
5. There's a story behind the name.
The Good Humor name came from the belief that a person's "humor," or temperament, was related to the humor of the palate (a.k.a. your sense of taste).
6. Jack Carson starred in a film about The Good Humor Man.
The movie debuted in 1950 and follows one man, Biff Jones, as he juggles a job he loves and a bit of trouble he runs into when a gang chases platinum blonde Bonnie Conroy while Jones is peddling his route. Watch as drama unfolds in this quite cute vintage flick:
[youtube ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_y-W3qcdhA[/youtube]
7. By 1960, there were over 85 different treats.
Good Humor expanded its lineup to include Chocolate Burst Cones; sundaes in chocolate, butterscotch, and strawberry; single-serve cups in apricot and honeydew; and more.
8. Good Humor sold its fleet of trucks.
To focus on selling in grocery stores, the company hawked its trucks in 1976, some of which were purchased by ice cream distributors for about $1,000 to $3,000 each.
9. The classics made a huge comeback in 1992.
Fan favorites like Candy Crunch, Chocolate Eclair, Strawberry Shortcake, and Toasted Almond were brought back to the lineup by popular demand.
10. Good Humor loves Girl Scout cookies as much as you do.
Partnering with the leadership-instilling organization, Good Humor has started selling Thin Mint ice cream bars that honestly might knock the Klondike off of its throne.
11. It always knows what's trending.
Keeping its ear to the ground, Good Humor has crafted ice creams inspired by all your favorite things—from Oreo and Birthday Cake to Reese's and chocolate chip cookies.
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