Back in August of 1887, George Goodbub, New Albany's successful confectioner and businessman, purchased a "new machine for making milk shakes." [New Albany Daily Ledger 06 Aug 1887] He may have been "ahead of his time."
In researching the milk shake, it was determined that most references from that time period (about 1885) would describe the milk shake as an alcoholic drink, similar to an egg nog, and used mostly for medicinal purposes. Malted milk powder was invented in 1897, an additive to milk which would make it more easily digested. By 1900, there are found more references to the milk shake as a "wholesome drink made with chocolate, strawberry, or vanilla syrup" - more like what we're used to these days. Except it appears it wasn't until 1922 when ice cream was added, supposedly by a Walgreens employee, who added 2 scoops of ice cream to a malted milk drink.
In 1911, Hamilton Beach Manufacturing Company introduced the Cyclone, their first drink mixer, which is remarkably styled much like a current-day milk shake mixer with a single rod activated by placing the drink container onto the spindle.
The newspaper reference in 1887 stated that Mr. Goodbub, by adding the new drink machine, was "prepared to serve to his customers this new and most delicious summer beverage." George Goodbub had owned a confectionery (and oyster saloon, in season) since 1857. A reference to the opening of his ice cream saloon is seen as early as 1859, at his Market street location, and appears to have been continued with his relocation to Pearl street in 1861, and following a remodel in 1872. Another remodel, in 1886, allowed for a courtyard which was fitted up nicely for his ice cream parlor, but it was not a new concept. He most likely opened his ice cream parlor each summer, in addition to his confectionery, from the beginning of his establishment.
It would be interesting to know whether he indeed was incorporating ice cream into his milk shakes -- or malted milk powder -- or whiskey -- or a combination thereof. At any rate, Goodbub was serving milk shakes to the citizens of New Albany as early as 1887, and using a machine that pre-dated the Hamilton Beach Cyclone. Hamilton Beach, nevertheless, touts themselves with a trademark as "The Original Drink Mixer Company."
[National Vanilla Milkshake Day is celebrated June 20th.]
