The ice pop was accidentally discovered by 11-year-old Frank Epperson when he left a cup containing powdered soda and water with a stirring stick on his porch. He discovered the frozen mixture the next morning, but it wasn't until 1923 that he realized the commercial possibilities of his invention and applied for a patent, which was granted in 1924. By 1928, Epperson had earned royalties on more than 60 million Popsicle® ice pops. In 2001, 1.4 billion sticks were used to manufacture Popsicle® products. If lined up end-to-end, that's more than 9 million miles.