Kool-Aid, the colorful powdered drink mix we know today, began life in Nebraska as a business-minded invention. In the early 1900s, Edwin Perkins, inspired by the success of Jell-O, experimented in his mom's kitchen to create his own drink product. He started with a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack, but to make shipping cheaper, he perfected a way to turn it into powder in 1927. This innovation, named Kool-Ade (later Kool-Aid), became a national hit, eventually finding a home at General Foods in 1953. Today, Kool-Aid remains an American icon, even holding the title of Nebraska's official soft drink.

Broadcast on:

11 Jun 2024