Ice Cream Van

Although ice cream was invented in China in 200BC, it didn’t become something the average Englishman could enjoy until the 19th century. In those days ice cream vans were horse-drawn carts, and there were definitely no waffle cones! The motorised vans appeared in the 1950s, publicising their arrival with their famous “music”. Early chimes were created by amplifying a sort of hand-turned Swiss music box and played through speakers powered by the vehicle’s battery. Nowadays most vans used computerised chimes – but do they sound any better? If you are thinking of becoming one of Britain’s 5,000 “mobilers”, you can expect to pay up to £30,000 for your van and you will have to choose if you are going to sell hard (scoops) or soft (whipped) ice cream and how to customise the fibreglass body which will be fitted onto the “host vehicle” (usually a Ford or Mercedes). Ice cream vans are a much loved asset to any neighbourhood and you are guaranteed a welcome wherever you go – but remember, only play your chimes between noon and 7pm – any other time they’re illegal!