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Ice Cream Cone

September 14, 2012

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Profile America -- Friday, September 14th. All summer long, millions of Americans have been enjoying ice cream cones. The exact origin of the cone is a subject of controversy. This month in 1903, an Italian immigrant in New York City -- Italo Marchiony -- filed a patent for a waffle-like pastry cup to hold ice cream. But he later lost court cases against makers of devices, which produced cone-shaped holders for ice cream. Whoever actually invented the ice cream cone, the first ones were hand rolled. By 1912, a machine had been invented to do the job faster. In all its forms -- regular and low fat ice cream, sherbet, and frozen yogurt -- we each eat about 24½ pounds a year of frozen dairy products -- much of it in cones. You can find more facts about America's people, places and economy from the American Community Survey at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 465
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 217
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012edition.html