10 Interesting Facts About Ice Cream in the United States

10. It started as a food for the wealthy

9. Philadelphia became the ice cream capital of the United States in the early 19th century

8. The first American commercial ice cream factory opened in 1851

7. The ice cream soda was invented in 1874

6. Blue laws led to the name “Sundae” for ice cream with toppings

5. Milkshakes and malts evolved from the ice cream soda

4. The banana split is claimed as an invention by at least two communities

3. The ice cream cone became popular in the early 20th century

2. Soft serve ice cream was invented in the United States

1. America is the second largest consumer of ice cream in the world (per capita)