In the history of the world, few questions have puzzled humanity as deeply as "How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?" First posed by a cartoon boy to a series of cartoon animals in a 1969 commercial, the now-iconic question became an instant part of pop culture, and eventually, an object of inquiry for scientists and universities all over the world.
In this episode of Weird History Food, we unwrap the fascinating history and surprising science behind one of America's most iconic candies, and in the process, try to discover exactly how many licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center.