The Ridiculous History of the "Ice Cream Sundae"

Podcast: Ridiculous History (iHeartPodcasts)
Hosts: Ben Bowlin & Noel Brown
Episode Date: November 6, 2025

Overview

This playful and spirited episode explores the origins and curious history of the American ice cream sundae—a classic dessert shrouded in claims, counterclaims, religious controversy, and spelling mysteries. Ben and Noel, with characteristic wit, examine rival origin stories from New York and Wisconsin, dig into the etymology of “sundae,” and reflect on the dessert’s evolution from soda fountain novelty to cultural staple.

Key Discussion Points & Historical Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Ubiquity of Ice Cream

• Ice Cream as a Year-Round Treat: Ben shares a story about seeing lines at Vienna ice cream shops in cold weather, underlining the dessert’s universal appeal [00:44].
• Joke about “Iced Creams” & Egg Creams: Fun banter about creamy treats that don’t always contain their named ingredients [02:09].

2. Defining the Sundae

• What Actually Is a Sundae? Ben and Noel point out that while “ice cream with syrup and toppings” isn’t unique, the story is in the treat’s branding—why is it specifically called a “sundae” (and why is it spelled that way)? [07:21–07:41]

3. Origin Story #1: Ithaca, New York

• Source: Corey Ryan Earle, writing for the Cornellians [06:03]
• Narrative:
  • On April 3, 1892, Chester Platt (Platt & Colt’s Drugstore owner) prepares a special vanilla ice cream with cherry syrup and a candied cherry for Reverend John Scott, after church [08:50].
  • The dish is christened the “Cherry Sunday” in honor of both the cherry topping and the day it was invented [09:49].
  • Local Cornell students help spread its popularity, ordering “the treat with cherry on top” and keeping demand alive [11:27].
  • Platt & Colt begin advertising the “Cherry Sundae” (then spelled S-U-N-D-A-Y) in local papers [12:28].
• Quote:
  • “The reply was a cherry sundae in honor of its creation day.” – Ben [10:15]
  • “It’s a bit of a cross of the sacred and the profane, you might argue... ice cream is sort of an indulgence, right?” – Noel [10:30]

4. Origin Story #2: Two Rivers, Wisconsin

• Source: Dean Robbins, Wisconsin Life [18:23]
• Narrative:
  • In 1881 (11 years before the Ithaca story!), George Hallower asks Edward Berner, a soda fountain proprietor, to top ice cream with chocolate sauce, traditionally used only for sodas [19:37].
  • Berner agrees, but only serves it on Sundays due to scarcity and perhaps religious sensibilities [20:18].
  • A persistent ten-year-old persuades Berner to serve the treat on other days, leading to expanded availability and flavors [21:08].
  • Local legend and a historical marker stake Two Rivers’ claim as “sundae” birthplace.
• Quotes:
  • “Capitalism loves manufactured scarcity, right?” – Ben [20:18]
  • “She says, well, you know, Mr. B, why don’t we just pretend it is Sunday?” – Ben [21:16]

5. Rival Claims, Documentation, and Drama

• Newspaper Evidence: First documented use of “sundae” (in dessert context) appears in the Ithaca Daily Journal on April 5, 1892, just after the purported invention [22:50].
• Trademark Efforts: Chester Platt’s attempt to trademark “sundae” bolsters Ithaca’s claim, with documentation held in Cornell University’s archives [23:08].
• Municipal Showdown:
  • Ithaca’s mayor throws “serious shade” at Two Rivers for lacking documentation.
  • Two Rivers responds with a town resolution demanding that Ithaca “cease and desist with its sundae slanders” [24:29].
• Third-Party Adjudication: Neither city has an airtight case; other possible sundae birthplaces (Evanston, IL; New Orleans, LA) muddy the waters [25:00].
• Quote:
  • “There’s a real beef going on, real trouble, right here in Two River City.” – Noel [24:17]

6. The Spelling Mystery: Why S-U-N-D-A-E?

• The Evanston, Illinois Theory:
  • Evanston’s religious blue laws prohibited the sale of ice cream sodas on Sundays (to deter crowds skipping church) [27:16].
  • Soda fountains adapted by serving ice cream with syrup, minus the soda water, and called it a “sundae soda” to skirt the law [33:12].
  • To further placate religious authorities, shopkeepers shifted the spelling from S-U-N-D-A-Y (the Lord’s day) to S-U-N-D-A-E [35:53].
• Quote:
  • “They needed a workaround, didn’t they, Ben?” – Noel [28:29]
  • “They started calling it not an ice cream soda, but a sundae soda.” – Ben [34:23]
• Spelling in Print: By 1902, national publications like the Spatula (a pharmacist’s trade rag) use the S-U-N-D-A-E variant [37:34].
• Quote:
  • “So they changed it... so they did not have the Lord's Day D-A-Y associated with this confection.” – Ben [35:53]

7. Banana Splits & Evolution of the Sundae

• Banana Split Origins:
  • Attributed to David Strickler, a 23-year-old soda jerk in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, who in 1904 sliced a banana and topped it with three ice cream scoops, syrups, nuts, and a cherry [39:40].
  • Banana split is portrayed as a “sundae with banana”—not all sundaes are banana splits, but all splits are sundaes [38:59].
• Exotic/Elevated Sundaes:
  • Discussion shifts to the world’s most expensive ice cream (Byakuya from Japan, $6,696/4.4oz) covered in gold leaf, white truffles, Parmigiano Reggiano, and sake lees [42:10].
  • Hosts agree the extravagant price is not justified, quoting reviews as “it was fine” [42:39].
• Adventurous Flavors:
  • Hosts share experiences with unconventional ice cream flavors—blue cheese, bagel, mac & cheese, and spiced “spice cream” [44:04–44:54].

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Questioning Naming and Tradition:
  • “The idea of calling it a Sunday is I think what’s at question, what’s at the heart of this investigation.” — Noel [07:21]
• On Capitalism and Scarcity:
  • “Capitalism loves manufactured scarcity, right?” — Ben [20:18]
• On Spelling Change and Religion:
  • “They went with another name change to avoid offending the church so that they did not have the Lord's Day D-A-Y associated with this confection. So they changed it to be spelled S-U-N-D-A-E. That's the theory, at least, right?” — Ben [35:53]
• On Documentation:
  • “We have the historical documents to prove it and they don’t.” — Quoting Ithaca’s mayor, via Ben [24:17]
• On Intrigue and Debate:
  • “There's a real beef going on, real trouble, right here in Two River City. The city passed a resolution demanding that Ithaca cease and desist with its sundae slanders.” — Noel [24:17]
• Humorous Aside:
  • “How much could a banana cost, Michael?” — Ben, referencing Arrested Development [41:53]
• On Unusual Ice Cream Flavors:
  • “I’ve had blue cheese ice cream I didn’t hate. I’ve had everything bagel ice cream. I wasn’t mad at it.” — Ben [44:04]
  • “Don’t yuck someone’s yum.” — Noel [45:17]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ice Cream’s Universal Appeal: 00:44
• First Use & Branding of “Sundae”: 07:21–07:41
• Ithaca, NY Origin Story: 08:50–12:53
• Wisconsin’s Claim: 18:23–21:48
• City Rivalry & Evidence: 22:50–25:00
• Spelling & Blue Laws: 27:16–37:34
• Banana Split & Sundae Variations: 38:20–41:53
• World’s Most Expensive Ice Cream: 42:10–43:40
• Adventurous Ice Cream Flavors: 44:04–44:54
• Sign-off and Weird Flavors Discussion: 45:00–45:20

Final Takeaways

• No Clear Origin: The sundae’s true birthplace remains disputed between several American towns, with documentary evidence favoring Ithaca, NY, but legendary status claimed by Two Rivers, WI, and others.
• Cultural and Religious Influence: Changing laws and religious attitudes in places like Evanston, IL contributed to both the sundae’s form (removing soda) and its distinctive spelling (S-U-N-D-A-E).
• Dessert as Innovation: The sundae showcases classic American patterns—creative workaround, rival towns staking claims, playful adaptation, and, ultimately, the thrill of dessert innovation.

For Further Engagement

• Listeners are encouraged to share their own “odd” ice cream favorites on the Ridiculous Historians Facebook group [45:00+].
• As the hosts say: “Don’t yuck someone’s yum!” [45:17] and “Live and let live.” [45:19]

Episode Credits:

• Research by Max “the Madman” Williams
• Sources: Corey Ryan Earle (Cornellians), Dean Robbins (Wisconsin Life), Jeff Wells (Mental Floss)

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