USS Bits and Bytes - Electronic Newsletter of the Miami University's Undergraduate Summer Scholars Program (USS)

Vol. 1, #1, August 22, 1997

The Rise and Social Significance of the Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor in the United States, 1870-1930
Summer 1997 project of Heather L. Tompkins under the mentorship of Dr. Mary Kupiec Cayton, Department of American Studies

Photo of Heather Tompkins This summer Heather Tompkins became a believer. For years advertisers proclaimed Coca-Cola an American icon through ads starring well-known symbols from King Kong to the cast of the television comedy Friends. However, Heather's faith is less related to Coke's million dollar advertising campaign than to its history as a piece of Americana. As Heather researched to determine the social significance and historical background of the soda fountain in the United States, she utilized the soft drink in the red and white can as a benchmark for her project.

The overall time period for Heather's project, developed with her mentor Dr. Mary Kupiec Cayton, is from 1870 until around 1930. Since the birth and growth of Coca-Cola nearly coincides with the that of the soda fountain and because of the vast information the company retains in its archives, Heather chose to study the soft drink as a model for her topic. To do so, she visited the company's museum and archives in Atlanta, Georgia. With information gathered in Atlanta and from other institutions, Heather compared the rise of the soda fountain with the birth of the leisure culture in the United States as well as the changing role of women.

In regard to the women's movement, Heather's first paper describes the emergence of women and leisure in society. She concludes that while the soda fountain was a place reserved for middle and lower class men in society, it was frequented by women of all socioeconomic backgrounds. In her second paper, she intended to reflect upon the relationship between classicism and the soda fountain by analyzing some advertisements from the archives. However, she found the ads reveal more about trends in the field of advertising than the individuals drinking Coca-Cola.

Heather did not expect to resolve the issues on class or women this summer but instead will continue her research in the upcoming school year. One area that requires a more in-depth look, is the transitional period between Coke's introduction as a medicinal aid and its popularity as a drink of leisure. She hopes that qualitative analysis of both a magazine devoted to soda fountains and a newspaper from a metropolitan area will shed light on these critical years.

As a junior, Heather's research experience opened new windows for her future. While she plans on graduate school, she is uncertain about the focus of her studies. This project enhanced her knowledge and interest in library science and museum studies because of the extensive research necessary for its completion. For the time being, she is considering a minor in urban planning and design. After the completion of her project, hopefully Heather will take time to enjoy a leisure beverage or two of her choice.

Heather Tompkins is one of 120 Miami University undergraduates who participated in the 1997 Undergraduate Summer Scholars (USS) Program. This University program is an initiative aimed at heightening the intellectual challenge of the learning environment at Miami University. This program enables Miami undergraduates to do research or other creative activities in the summer under the supervision of faculty.

In 1997, some of the USS activities were supported by a National Science Foundation Grant to Miami University entitled "Creating a Research-Rich Curriculum: A Model for Lifelong and Continuous Learning" (DUE-9652063, Dr. J.A. Czaja, PI). This funding was provided under the NSF Division of Undergraduate Education's program on Institution-Wide Reform of Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Technology.

Summary and Photo by Cindy (Cynthia) Bubb, a Mass Communication major with a minor in Marketing, Miami University class of 1998.