Kool-Aid Influenced By Edwin E. Perkins

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Kool - Aid As weird as it sounds, Kool-Aid has made a big impact on families and kids. Kool-Aid used to only be a liquid that came in glass bottles, but there were problems with shipping. Inspired by Jell-O, Kool-Aid was turned into powder so shipping was easier. The Great Depression impacted the prices on Kool-Aid, but instead of prices going up, they cut in half. Edwin E. Perkins was the creator of this masterpiece and was influenced by many by his hard work. He found a way to make liquid into an easily soluble powder, which was easier for everyone. It was altered into a cheap, delicious drink for kids and adults to enjoy. Kool-Aid is an affordable and delicious drink for everyone to enjoy. Kool-Aid was invented by Edwin Perkins in 1927. …show more content…

Stated by Nebraska Studies, “By the young age of 13, Perkins was already serving as the postmaster for Hendley, Nebraska.” He was eager to work and started to gain an interest in pre-packaged food when a family friend brought Jell-O home from a trip. In the article, ‘The Kool-Aid Story’, it informs “Jell-O. influenced his decision to get into the pre-packaged food business.” When he got a little older, he started making his own perfumes, bluing and other items he could sell. In 1920 he made over one hundred products. These products consist of: creams, medicines, and food flavoring. One specific item he produced was called “Fruit-Smack”. Fruit Smack was just the beginning of Perkins' greatest invention. Jell-O, Kool-Aid's inspiration, and Fruit-Smack, Kool-Aid’s predecessor, inspired Edwin and put him to work. When Edwin created Fruit Smack, there were problems in shipping the drink. History Nebraska says, “... Perkins had problems marketing his Fruit-Smack... Packaged in bottles, the product often broke in transit.” Shipping wasn’t efficient and Edwin knew a way to fix this problem. If the drink wasn’t liquid, then it couldn’t leak or need heavy, glass bottles. In the article, ‘The Kool-Aid Story’ Adams County Historical Society