8. Fizzies Drink Tablets
Long before powdered drink mixes became a pantry staple, there were Fizzies. These effervescent tablets, first introduced in the late 1950s, were a magical experience for kids. You would drop a small tablet into a glass of water and watch it fizz and bubble, transforming the clear liquid into a colorful, flavored soft drink right before your eyes. It was part chemistry set, part sweet treat.
Created by Emerson Drug Company, Fizzies were initially sweetened with cyclamates, an artificial sweetener. This made them a sugar-free treat, which was a major selling point for parents. They came in a variety of fruit flavors like grape, cherry, and orange. The novelty of making your own soda was immense, and Fizzies became incredibly popular throughout the 1960s.
Their downfall was swift and decisive. In 1969, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the use of cyclamates due to health concerns, and the entire product category of artificially sweetened goods was thrown into turmoil. Fizzies, which relied entirely on the sweetener, were pulled from the market. Though they have been reformulated and brought back several times over the years, they never recaptured the cultural dominance they held in their heyday. Their story is a classic example of how changing scientific and regulatory landscapes can erase a beloved product overnight.
