Posted in Nebraska
April 19, 2020
Few People Know That Nebraska Is The Birthplace Of Kool-Aid, The Original Kids’ Drink
You can find Kool-Aid on dinner tables and picnic tables all around the country, particularly during summertime. It’s available in grocery stores everywhere, but not everyone knows that Kool-Aid was invented right here in Nebraska.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate

Perkins began creating and selling products at a very young age, first in rural Furnas County and later in Hastings. Everything from creams and salves to gasoline additives and beyond came out of Perkins' workshop. Many of the products were sold by "trust agents" - salespeople who purchased a sample kit and then sold products and mailed the money to Perkins.

The concentrated liquid was a good seller, but since it was shipped in small glass bottles there were always shipping problems like breakage and spilling.

In 1927, Perkins perfected the formula and named the mix Kool-Ade. He came up with six flavors: raspberry, lemon, orange, cherry, grape, and root beer. The name was later changed to Kool-Aid.

Perkins and his family took out second mortgages to afford the setup costs for the relatively large Kool-Aid manufacturing venture.

But Perkins, ever the enthusiastic salesman, used a new marketing strategy - advertising the product on the store shelves themselves - to boost sales. It was a struggle to get local stores to carry the mix, but once the stores accepted the product its popularity really took off.

Operations soon moved from Hastings to Chicago, and the Kool-Aid Man mascot was created by a marketing firm in New York, but Hastings, Nebraska will always be the true birthplace of this iconic powdered drink mix.
You can learn more about the invention of Kool-Aid, Edwin Perkins’ life, and a whole lot more at the Hastings Museum. It features a large space dedicated to Kool-Aid history, complete with early Kool-Aid Man costumes, tons of Kool-Aid merchandise, and some fun photo opportunities. Check out the museum’s website for information on visiting.
While you’re in Hastings, be sure to visit the Bigfoot Crossroads of America Museum – it’s totally worth a stop!
Address: Hastings, NE, USA