Published: July 23, 2008 10:29 am            

Our View: For whom the cone tolls

According to the Library of Congress, it was on this date 104 years ago that Charles E. Menches decided to fill a pastry cone with a couple scoops of ice cream, thus creating an ice cream cone. While there are many others who staked claim to the invention, the ice cream cone’s future as an American culinary staple was cemented during the 1904 World’s Fair at St. Louis. That is where several vendors tinkered with ways to serve ice cream to the massive crowds.

The Library of Congress Web site states that while several World’s Fair vendors were hawking ice cream in bowls or other dishes, the edible pastries were an immediate hit with fairgoers. Word spread among the vendors and the birth of the ice cream cone was under way.

Naturally, there are reports of others throughout the world having some sort of ice cream cone long before the World’s Fair in St. Louis. And that may very well be true. However, the fair certainly holds its place in history as the moment in time when the ice cream cone became a part of American culture.

Is this earth-shattering news? No. But we found it interesting. We’ll bet you are now thinking of having an ice cream cone tonight.

        

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