Hey, Kool-Aid! Most everyone knows this famous phrase and the jovial red pitcher, but do you know where it all started? Explore the story behind this iconic drink, from a small town entrepreneur’s dream to the most successful powdered soft drink mix sold today.
Written by Curator of Collections: Teresa Kreutzer-Hodson
Edwin Elijah Perkins is born in Lewis, Iowa.
The Perkins family moves to Furnas County, Nebraska.
Edwin’s father buys a general store in Hendley and the family moves to town.
Edwin begins to dabble in establishing a business.
Nix-O-Tine becomes Edwin’s first highly successful product while he marries his long-time sweetheart Kitty Shoemaker.
Edwin moves to Hastings, Nebraska to be closer to distribution routes and expands his product line he later calls Onor-Maid.
Inspired by the product Jell-O®, Edwin lands on a new product to replace Fruit Smack. He named the product Kool-Ade.
Edwin moved his company, now known as Perkins Products Company to Chicago, Illinois.
The spelling of the increasingly popular drink mix is changed to Kool-Aid.
The first Kool-Aid bottling franchise was established in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
General Foods Corporation buys Perkins Products Company, including Kool-Aid.
Marvin Potts creates a smiling face pitcher as a new brand image for Kool-Aid.
Edwin Perkins passes away and is interred at Parkview Cemetery in Hastings, Nebraska.
Pre-sweetened Kool-Aid became available with Bugs Bunny as the spokes character.
Kool-Aid Man breaks onto America’s televisions.
Edwin is joined in death by his wife, best friend, and business partner, Kitty.
General Foods merges with Kraft to become Kraft General Foods.
Kool-Aid Days is started in Hastings, Nebraska to celebrate the invention of Kool-Aid.
Kraft Foods, Inc. ends the premiums program for Kool-Aid.
H.J. Heinz Company merged with Kraft Foods, Inc. to become Kraft-Heinz Company.
