Minnesota Mint Soda

[apple_pathways]

Tonight, while getting ice out of the freezer, I noticed a box of supermarket brand "Buttermilk Waffles" sat on top of a carton of supermarket brand "Rocky Road Ice Cream". Because they're both the same store brand, the packaging for both items looked similar, and for a moment I thought the waffles were actually Buttermilk Waffle Ice Cream, which I am now convinced is the best idea I have ever had about anything ever. In trying to think of how I could turn my idea into profit, I was reminded of one of my most favorite overheard conversations ever.

The conversation took place between a homeless man and the US Patent Office via a bus station pay phone. He was trying to patent the idea for "Minnesota Mint Soda". Not the recipe, per se: he'd tried to work something out with Coca-Cola, but for some strange reason, they weren't interested in working with him. No, rather he was trying to patent the name: Minnesota Mint Soda.

The person on the other end of the line must have been skeptical, but the man did his best to sell the idea. He started off by naming every food named after a U.S. state or city: "There's Texas Toast...Boston cream pie...Chicago-style pizza...baked Alaska...Boston baked beans...Buffalo wings..."

He also went on to list other things he'd named, to varying degrees of success: a band he used to perform in, and his ex-wife's dog. (It's of great sadness to me that I can't remember the name of either.)

But mostly he just said the name over and over again: Minnesota Mint Soda. Minnesota Mint Soda.

Minnesota Mint Soda.

I swear to Bob, the more you say it, the better it sounds! I don't care what it tastes like, I know I'd buy a bottle. And really, sometimes a great name is all you need!

So, if anyone has any contacts with any food scientists, you might want to clue them in so they can get on this. Just remember: there's a homeless man in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area who's owed some royalties!

Comments

[sabriel75.livejournal.com]

Oh Lord! I'm lol'ing here because your waffle ice cream really would work imho and Minnesota Mint Soda... so would buy a bottle too.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

If only I could find this man again! We could start our own business selling foods that, at the very least, sound like a good idea! :P (I picture chunks of waffle in the ice cream, and maple swirls!)

Minnesoda Mint Soda

[minnesotamintsoda]

Incredibly, I know this guy. He identifies himself as the drummer of The Banditz. Contact me at scheinzman@yahoo.com and I can tell you a lot more. His is a sad life, but there are lots of hilarious stories.

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

No, rather he was trying to patent the name: Minnesota Mint Soda.

Maybe if he'd tried to trademark it instead, he might have gotten somewhere, lol. < /law geek>

Minnesota Mint Soda sounds suspiciously like 3M's attempt to get into the beverage market. ;) But I'd buy the bottle, just out of home state pride!

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

You see, I think this was his main problem: he didn't have adequate legal representation to guide him through the process! (Which office handles trademarks? Though for all I know, he tried them as well--he'd also called Coca-Cola and Pepsi!)

I don't even care what it would taste like--I just like enjoy saying it over and over again, and that's enough to keep me buying it!

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

Oh, he had the right idea. The US Patent & Trademark Office handles trademark issues. It's just that you can't put in an idea by phone, lol.

You know, maybe Minnesota Mint Soda is an idea whose time has come? Niche marketing idea? I'll do your trademark filing for you. ;)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I would have loved to have heard the other end of the conversation. To be honest, I'd love to hear all the crackpot calls they get at the Paten & Trademark Office! I'm sure they've got some amazing stories.

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

One of my former colleagues used a patent application to propose to his girlfriend: US Patent Publication No. 20070078663. You can look it up on Google, lol.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

That is the nerdiest thing I have ever seen in my life! Color me impressed. :P

[switchbladesis.livejournal.com]

I think it would taste disgusting, but then again I happily drink Cel-ray. So maybe I'm not the best judge. I'd still buy it once to try it.

When I first moved to Minneapolis, my friends sent me a care package filled with crab apples and tiny cans of pop-mini apples, mini soda.

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

I had to google Cel-ray. Celery-flavored soda? And you think mint would be weird? *shudders*

;)

You have very clever friends--that care package sounds adorable!

[bwblack.livejournal.com]

Now I need both buttermilk waffle ice cream and minnesota mint soda! Not together though that would be weird... but you could make crazy mint chip floats with that soda and the ice cream? OMG

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

OMG, a mint chip float--I can't tell if that's disgusting or genius! (Or disgusting genius...) Either way, I'd be bound to try it!

[javidan.livejournal.com]

a homeless man in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area
The first thing that came to my mind was that he's probably a PhD...and brilliant!;-)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

It's very possible! During my field placement for my degree, I spent some time at a clubhouse for consumers of mental health services in Ann Arbor. A very high percentage of the members held advanced degrees, including several with MSWs. VERY intimidating for a BSW student, let me tell you!

In Ypsi, however, that's where most of the adult foster homes are--people there aren't as well off. I said 'homeless' for ease of description, but it's very likely he lived in one of these homes.

[tierfal.livejournal.com]

...I think waffle ice cream is the only thing that would surpass the amazingness of ice cream ON waffles. Nommmmmm.

I would drink Minnseota Mint Soda in a heartbeat.