The Ice Cream Cart and Truck are seen today as a beautiful and absolutely choreographed object that beautifies cities.
However, not many know that the ice cream cart and then the truck were born in response to a period of profound economic crisis. Well yes, precisely during the great depression of the 19th century that began in Austria and then spread to America. It all began following the collapse of the value of many shares traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange in 1873. Thus, for fear of losing their savings, savers began to sell their shares and withdraw their capital from the banks. And this led a few months later to the collapse of the New York Bank Jay Cooke & Company. According to many historians, it was this failure that started the Great Depression.
And in this context the ice cream cart was seen as an opportunity to earn something. Over the years and the development of vehicles, the Ice Cream Truck has joined the Ice Cream Cart.
The Diffusion of Ice Cream Carts
The fear of investing on the stock market or depositing one’s money in the bank has had disastrous consequences. The poor circulation of money, in fact, caused considerable problems and revolutionized the lives of many people. Because the lack of a vision for a better future has set off a series of uncontrollable chain events. From the closure of many factories and businesses to the increase in the unemployment rate. From the increase in the number of new poor people to the lack of demand for goods and services. A dead end spiral. Other factories closed due to lack of market for the goods produced and the number of people without income increased.
Of course, all these changes have shaken the whole world and forced many people to reinvent a new life. Even looking for new jobs to make a living. So, simultaneously with the increase in factory closures, there is an increase in carts on the street. From the ice cream cart to the bicycle and then to the motorized ice cream truck the step is short.
Birth of the Ice Cream Push Cart
The birth of the ice cream cart was born in north-eastern Italy at the end of the 1800s. An innovator of the time had the idea of lining the wooden body of a cart internally with metal plates. So he could fill the chest with ice cubes without dripping water on the street. And he realized that by dipping the tubs of ice cream into the ice, they remained cold all day long. So all family members started selling ice cream in every corner of the city. Over time, the ice cream vendors have multiplied. Many ice cream makers sent around 3 – 4 boys with ice cram mobile carts to sell their ice cream throughout the city.
Birth of the Ice Cream Bicycle
The term ice cream bicycle usually refers to a 3-wheeled bike equipped with a freezer and a roof. And it’s the best option if the seller wants to sell the ice cream in a location within 10 km of their ice cream shop. The first ice cream bicycles were seen in London in 1923. A master ice cream maker came up with the slogan Stop me and buy one. Given the great success installed new ice cream machines and ordered a fleet of 50 tricycles.
Today it’s a little less common to spot an Ice Cream Cart or Bicycle on the street, but the ice cream cart is making a comeback. In fact, the refrigerators with carapines mounted on the latest generation mobile carts keep the ice cream fresh throughout the day. So you can also serve homemade ice cream on the go without losing taste and texture.
History of the Ice Cream Truck
In the early 1900s there were remarkable advances in both vehicle engines and refrigeration. The combustion engine and the small electric refrigerators have revolutionized push carts for street food. And one of the first to understand the new business possibilities was Harry Burt, the founder of Good Humor. In fact, he created the first truck equipped for the sale of ice cream on the go. He basically installed a large refrigerated ice cream box on a truck. A brilliant idea for those years, because it allowed you to go around the whole city and its surroundings without stopping.