clear glass pitcher with cola and ice on wooden chopping board
Photo by Marta Dzedyshko on Pexels.com

Fifteen years before the comic character Wonder Woman was pitched to DC Comics, we could have had Pitcher-Woman!

Why did we need Pitcher-Woman?

Drum roll, please!!!!    

Pitcher-Woman would have been the cherry cheeks, smiling face pitcher filled with the satisfying quencher and children’s chugger, Kool-Aid! 

But back then, Pitcher-Woman would have served glasses and cups of Fruit Smack, the fruity-flavored predecessor of the renowned kids’ beverage, Kool-Aid.

Seven or more years before the name Kool-Aid was coined, mothers bought Fruit Smack, the original version of the powdered Kool-Aid drink. Fruit Smack was a liquid concentrate that came in six flavors: orange, lemon-lime, cherry, grape, root beer, and raspberry. Water and sugar were added to make a refreshing drink that the children loved. 

If not Pitcher-Woman, what about Pitcher-Mom? Okay, neither Pitcher-Woman nor Pitcher-Mom is flattering.

I’m just saying, why not have a female mascot as the heroine of the children’s thirst? Surely, the 1920s advertising gurus could’ve come up with a snazzy name.

I don’t know if Mom drank Fruit Snack in a bottle as a child, but she bought us packages of Kool-Aid. Cherry and grape were our favorites.

Edwin Perkins of Nebraska created Fruit Snack, the delicious fruity drink concentrate, in 1920, after learning about and selling Jell-O, a fruity-powered dessert. In 1927, Edwin discovered a way to remove the water from Fruit Smack, which left the powder substance. He packaged the fruity power in packets or envelopes and called it Kool-Ade.

Edwin’s company and ventures flourished. He sold and marketed over 100 products. His many products and business pursuits included prepackaged foods, printing, and mail-ordering services. He sold lotions, soaps, medicines, jelly-making products, food flavorings, and fruit drink concentrates.

Fruit Smack, sold in corked glass bottles, was one of Edwin’s most popular creations. Edwin soon had to solve the problems of handling and shipping glass bottles. Realizing that the powdered drink was more shipping-friendly and consumer-appealing, Edwin changed. He got rid of the heavy, breakable, and leaking glass bottles.

In 1927, Edwin marketed his powered creation as Kool-Aide, which was later changed to its current name, Kool-Aid.

Pitcher-Man made his debut in the early 1950s. Then came Kool-Aid Man, the official mascot of Kool-Aid.

I guess Kool-Aid Woman or Kool-Aid Mom was not to be.

Other names for Kool-Aid Man include Kool-Aid Guy or Captain Kool-Aid. 

Over the years, Kool-Aid Man evolved in appearance and personality. In the early 1970s, arms and legs were added to give him more human traits. He became a happy, fun-loving guy who wanted to quench everyone’s thirst, especially children.

Kool-Aid Man is a hero. He answers the children’s thirst call: “Hey Kool-Aid!” He will break or smash through wood, brick, and anything else to rescue kids from thirst.

With an “Oh Yeah,” he is at their beckon relief, ready to pour.

A standard pitcher holds 2 quarts of Kool-Aid. I wonder how many quarts a 6-foot Kool-Aid Man holds.

The official soft drink of Nebraska is Kool-Aid.

By the way, cherry Kool-Aid is the original flavor.

I hope you are happy and well.