Did you know that the classic Australian treat the Freddo Frog was actually never meant to be a frog?
It’s true, originally the delightful chocolate treat was supposed to be a mouse.
The famed frog was created in about 1930, when Macpherson Robertson Confectionery was thinking of introducing a new 1-penny chocolate for confectionery shopkeepers and had decided on a mouse.
One employee however said ‘Women and girls are afraid of mice. What about a frog?’ So, the chocolate frog went into production, proving so successful that production figures ran into the millions. That same employee also suggested naming the frog after the company’s foreman, Fred McLean. So, ‘Freddo’ frogs were officially born, and trademarked in 1939!
If you loved that story there are plenty more in the book series called ‘The Milk Bars Book’ by award-winning illustrator, photographer and unofficial milk bar historian Eamon Donnelly.
The latest in the series is ‘The Milk Bars Book. Volume II: A Sweet History’ invites you to uncover the sweet stories and memories of Australian milk bar, ice-cream and confectionary history from 1900 until now. See more at www.eamondonnelly.com
