We could, COULD hit 80 today, the 6th day of November. Wow. While we more than likely won't mark the occasion by purchasing ice cream from an ice cream truck, the sound an ice cream truck makes, you know the little ditty that they play as they drive around? We have a Minnesota company to thank for that. Nichols Electronics in Richfield.

Many of us have memories from when we were kids of hearing that higher-pitched song playing on a loop letting you know that an ice cream truck was nearby. And you probably didn't know that the device used to play that music was produced basically in your own backyard.

Nichols Electronics Co of Richfield has been building and selling ice cream truck music boxes since 1957 according to their website. The website says it best in their about us section when it states;

"Ice cream vending is a very competitive business.  You need to be heard above the background noise whether it be an urban setting or the country.  Playing music from a quality made music box will announce your presence to your customers. The distinctive sound of our music boxes is immediately recognizable by people of all ages. The sound and songs used in our music boxes are widely known throughout the country, and indeed the world.  Customers who hear that sound know immediately that you are vending." - Nichols Electronics Co Website

But how did Nichols Electronics get into the ice cream music box business? Well in 1957 an LA ice cream truck driver came to his friend Bob Nichols to see if he could make an electric music box, somewhat like that the Good Humor ice cream trucks were using according to the website TheHustle.co and that was the beginning of the business of making music boxes for ice cream trucks.

Ice cream jingles are apparently a competitive marketplace as former Wu-Tang rapper RZA just put out his own ice cream jingle that Nichols Electronics will be putting into their music boxes.

 

WE ARE PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO OFFER RZA AND GOOD HUMOR’S NEW TUNE FOR ICE CREAM TRUCKS. In a joint project between Good...

Posted by Nichols Electronics Co. on Friday, August 14, 2020

 

RZA's jingle will replace the song "Turkey In The Straw" on Nichols music boxes.

 

Why we will no longer sell any music boxes with the song "Turkey in the Straw":

Turkey in the Straw is an approximately...

Posted by Nichols Electronics Co. on Monday, June 15, 2020

The next time you hear an ice cream truck jingle next summer, you'll know it was probably made in Minnesota.

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