Seems anything that pops — soda pop, popcorn, “Pop Goes the Weasel” — is, well, popular. So it’s no surprise that Popsicles are a favorite summer treat. But did you know they were invented by accident? In 1905, in San Francisco, 11-year-old Frank Epperson left a cup of old-fashioned powdered soda and water outside with a stirring stick in it. After an overnight cold snap, the boy found his drink frozen to the stick. He dubbed it an “Epsicle” and made more for family and friends. Years later, Epperson renamed the snack after he heard his own children scream for “Pop’s sicles.”

In 1923 he began manufacturing the confections. He quickly sold his burgeoning business to a rival corporation, and today his trademarked and patented Popsicle is made by Good Humor and enjoyed all summer long. So take in these frozen facts and challenge your friends and family to a real Pop(sicle) quiz.

During the Great Depression, the Popsicle was joined by the Twin Pop, made with two sticks, so that kids could share one for the bargain price of a nickel.

In 2005 Snapple tried to erect the world’s largest Popsicle in New York City on the first day of summer. The 17 1/2-ton pop melted quickly in the 80-degree heat, flooding streets with pink kiwi-strawberry goo. Firefighters washed away the sticky scene.

Cherry is America’s favorite Popsicle flavor, with orange and grape close behind. Wackier members of the Popsicle population include bubble gum and cotton candy. There’s even a glow-in-the-dark version.

Although it’s commonly known as a Popsicle in the United States, in England it’s an “ice lolly.” Hawaiians have given it the melodic moniker aikalima ’au, and Down Under, the Aussies and Kiwis call it an “ice block.”