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Number of “Great Earthquakes” that have devastated parts of California wine country during the last century and a half. In addition to demolishing wineries, the most notorious of these—in 1906— destroyed millions of gallons of wine then stored in San Francisco warehouses. A national scarcity of California wine ensued and lasted for years. The most recent Great Earthquake, in 2014 in Napa Valley, caused $362 million worth of destruction.

Which of the following foods first became popular in the United States during Prohibition?

A. Hot Dogs

B. Hoover Stew

C. Ice Cream

D. Donuts

Ice cream. In 1920 the Volstead Act was passed by Congress, prohibiting the “manufacturing and sale” of alcohol. The law caused many adults to look for alternatives to wine, beer, and spirits. Advancements in refrigeration had occurred simultaneously with the ban on alcohol, so with no beer to keep cool, ice cream became the number one tasty treat of the Prohibition Era. It has been estimated that between 1920 and 1929, ice cream consumption grew 40% in the United States. Prohibition also sparked new innovations in the ice cream world—single-serve frozen treats like the Eskimo Pie and the first ice cream bar on a stick from Good Humor were invented to meet the new demand for ice cream treats in public spaces.

“Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, I’m finding enjoyment in things that stop time. Just the simple act of tasting a glass of wine is its own event. You’re not downing a glass of wine in the midst of doing something else.”

—David Hyde Pierce, Actor

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