About Good Humor
About Good Humor
Nearly 100 Years of Happy Memories!
The Good Humor truck and Good Humor man were staples of so many childhoods – and no wonder! The Good Humor journey started in 1920, when Harry Burt, a confectioner in Youngstown, OH, created a chocolate coating that could go over ice cream. With a little help from his children – his daughter, who pointed out that the treat was delicious but messy, and his son, who suggested freezing the concoction on a stick – the classic Good Humor frozen treat was born.
The early years were rocky. It took until 1923 for Burt to win a patent for his invention, and he had to go to Washington himself, treats in tow, to make it happen. A run-in with the Chicago mob in 1929 cost the young business part of its fleet in the Windy City. During the Depression, the company created a half-price bar so young and old could continue to enjoy the frozen goodness, even in tough times.
The middle of the century was one of the brightest times for Good Humor. In 1950, a movie, The Good Humor Man, was released, starring Jack Carson. By 1960, moms, dads, kids, and everyone in between had over 85 Good Humor products to choose from. These are the years that loom so large in many people’s memories, the years when the telltale bells or music would send everyone running toward the street to see what was in the truck.
In 1976, Good Humor shifted gears. Instead of selling their products on the street, they focused on grocery stores. As a result, they sold their fleet of vehicles. Most of the trucks went for just $1,000-$3,000 each.
However, it didn’t take long for the company to return to its roots. By 1992, it had relaunched many of its classic flavors – good old-fashioned favorites like Candy Crunch, Strawberry Shortcake, and Chocolate Eclair – and in 2014, Good Humor returned to the street. This time, however, it was looking to the future. Instead of using trucks, the company launched solar-powered freezers!
Now, as Good Humor looks forward to its next century in business, one this is for certain: we all can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring!
Making New Memories
If you’d like to learn more about Good Humor’s history, click here.
We’ve just given the highlights on this page, and there’s much more to discover.
However, if you’re more interested in making memories for your wedding, corporate event, child’s birthday, or other gathering, turn to us. The team at Classic Memories Ice Cream LLC would be happy to bring the classic Good Humor truck and Good Humor memories back into your life. Contact us today to book your event!