How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?
• A handful of engineering students at Purdue University appear to have conducted the most research. They devised a “licking machine,” with which they recorded an average of 364 licks to get to the center. Their research also included having 20 human volunteers carry out the experiment as well. The results from the volunteers concluded that it took an average of 252 licks to reach it. • One doctorate student at the University of Michigan created his own licking machine and came up with an average of 411 licks to reach the center of the Tootsie Pop. • Students at Swathmore High School conducted their own human-based experiment, resulting in an average of 144 licks. The answer of course is
“How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” Well the last time I had a tootsie roll pop was about 2 years ago. I know It didn’t take long, espeacially the Cherry ones because I didn’t care much for it. But with the Chocolate, Strawberry, & Grape, they lasted THE Longest! All the way down to the Tootsie Roll. Yum!
I procured $1.00 from the Scoop City coffers and made my way down to the local convenience store. I purchased three lollipops, cherry flavor, at 15 cents a piece and, with tax, the total came to 48 cents. Feeling altruistic, I donated two quarters to a young boy named David suffering from leukemia and threw my 2 remaining pennies into the take a penny, leave a penny jar. I then made my way back to the Scoop City offices. Upon my return, I enlisted the aid of Dr. Shin to help me with this experiment. He objected vehemently, but, in the end, acquiesced. I handed him a lollipop, took one myself and began the experiment. The process and results follow…Trial 1: Dr. Shin took his tootsie roll pop and eyed it skeptically before opening it. After a few cursory licks, he went at the sucker with unmatched vigor. He called out his lick count periodically-45, 86, 139, 176, 221, 330, At lick 376, Dr. Shin stopped, experiencing distinct tootsie flavor. Upon closer inspection, no tootsie had been rea
Since Mr. Owl first dared to unravel one of the confectionary world’s most puzzling secrets in the classic 1970 TV commercial, dedicated Tootsie Pop fans everywhere have tried to provide a definitive answer. Many have attempted, and failed, to lick their way to the center of the Tootsie Pop. The temptation to bite and reach the embedded Tootsie Roll prize has proven too great… just like it was for Mr. Owl. For the truly disciplined who have made it successfully to the center, Tootsie places them in its highest regard. And the pages linked below are dedicated to their valiant struggle.
