History’s Built America Presents returns with a supersized, four-hour special, “Frozen Eats,” airing Sunday, December 8, at 8 PM. This time, the series chills out, exploring the (sometimes) accidental creations and entrepreneurial spirit that transformed frozen treats from a novelty into a multi-billion dollar industry.
Forget meticulously researched historical narratives; this episode leans into the quirky, unexpected origins of some of America’s most beloved frozen snacks. From a kid’s serendipitous popsicle prototype to Tom Carvel’s broken-down ice cream truck, “Frozen Eats” presents a palatable blend of history and happy accidents. It appears the road to frozen confectionery greatness is paved with good intentions and the occasional malfunction.
The special also features the tale of a cab driver who, in a stroke of genius, recognized the untapped potential of combining ice cream with popular candy brands. Let’s just say his gamble paid off, resulting in a sweet, and lucrative, revolution in the frozen dessert aisle.
Beyond the anecdotes, Built America Presents also profiles four entrepreneurs who capitalized on emerging technologies—like the home freezer and, yes, even the microwave—to reshape the frozen food landscape. In a classic American tale of ingenuity and hustle, these innovators demonstrated how a simple idea, combined with a dash of entrepreneurial grit, can create culinary icons.
Built America Presents airs Sundays at 8 PM on History.
