As with so many useful creations, the lolly was invented by accident when Epperson, a Californian lemonade salesman, left a spoon in a glass of lemonade on a cold night.

ECONOMIST: Encapsulating a century in gadgets

When the video was over, half of each group was given a glass of lemonade with sugar in it and half was given a glass of lemonade with sugar substitute.

ECONOMIST: Do not think on an empty stomach