Celebrate International Women’s Day by discovering the trailblazing women who shaped the world of ice cream—Mary Eales, Nancy Johnson & Agnes Marshall.
Ice cream is the world’s favourite dessert, enjoyed across cultures and generations. From classic vanilla to exotic matcha, and endless styles in between. With global sales exceeding $76 billion in 2023 (Fortune Business Insights, 2023), and the average Brit consuming 9 litres per year (British Ice Cream Alliance), ice cream has evolved immensely over the centuries.
👉🏽 To learn more about the billion dollar ice cream industry, head over to our article – Move over Mr Musk, Ice Cream is The Next Big Thing!
Whether scooped into a cone, blended into a milkshake, or served as a decadent sundae, ice cream is more than just a treat—it’s a symbol of fun, celebration, and innovation.
But behind this global sensation lies a fascinating history, shaped by remarkable women whose innovations made ice cream what it is today.
In this article, we celebrate three trailblazers who revolutionised ice cream:
- Mrs. Mary Eales, who published the first known English ice cream recipe in 1718.
- Nancy Johnson, who invented the hand-cranked ice cream freezer in 1843.
- Agnes Marshall, a Victorian entrepreneur who pioneered ice cream technology and even predicted the use of liquid nitrogen.
Their contributions transformed ice cream from an elite indulgence into a household staple, paving the way for the industry we know today.
Celebrating Women’s Achievements on International Women’s Day
Before we learn more about these ice cream pioneers, let’s take a moment to recognise why we’re celebrating them today.
International Women’s Day (IWD), observed every year on 8th March, is a global celebration of women’s achievements across history, culture, science, and innovation. It also serves as a call to action for gender equality and ensuring that women’s contributions—past and present—are recognised and valued.
From pioneering inventors to entrepreneurs who changed industries, IWD is the perfect time to honour the women who shaped the world—including the ice cream industry!
Meet the Women Who Shaped Ice Cream
Mrs. Mary Eales – The First Lady of Ice Cream (1718)
Contribution: First known English ice cream recipe
- In 1718, Mrs. Mary Eales published Mrs. Mary Eales’s Receipts, a groundbreaking cookbook containing the first recorded English recipe for ice cream.
- She introduced an innovative freezing method using tin ice pots in ice and salt, making the process more practical.
- Though little is known about her personal life, her work paved the way for future ice cream makers.
Mrs. Mary Eales’s Recipes and Innovation
A true pioneer, she holds the distinction of publishing the first-ever English ice cream recipe in her 1718 cookbook, Mrs. Mary Eales’s Receipts. When Mrs. Mary Eales’s Receipts was published in 1718, it wasn’t just another cookbook – it was a game-changer in the world of frozen desserts.
This book contained the first known printed recipe for ice cream in the English language, marking a pivotal moment in culinary history.
At the time, ice cream was still an exclusive delicacy, enjoyed only by the elite. Eales’s recipe introduced an innovative method – using tin ice pots filled with cream, which were then surrounded by a mixture of ice and salt. This process allowed for better control of freezing, a breakthrough in the early science of ice cream making.
By the time the 1733 edition of her book was published, it contained 126 recipes, spanning over 100 pages, highlighting not just the evolution of desserts but the lasting influence of Mrs. Eales’s culinary expertise. Her method laid the groundwork for future advancements, inspiring generations of ice cream makers and food lovers alike.
But Who Was Mrs. Mary Eales?
Despite her impact on food history, very little is known about Mrs. Mary Eales herself. However, what we do know is that she was a woman ahead of her time, venturing into what was then a male-dominated culinary world.
She was confectioner to Queen Anne, a role that gave her access to the royal kitchen, where ice cream was still a novelty.
Her work paved the way for future women in professional cooking, proving that women had a place in shaping the world of fine food. She may not have had the fame of some later culinary figures, but her legacy lives on in every scoop of ice cream we enjoy today.
Nancy Johnson – The Inventor Who Made Ice Cream Accessible (1843)
Contribution: Invented the hand-cranked ice cream freezer
- In 1843, Nancy Johnson patented the first hand-cranked ice cream freezer (U.S. Patent No. 3254).
- Her invention simplified and sped up the ice cream-making process, making it accessible to households rather than just the wealthy elite.
- While she didn’t gain widespread recognition in her lifetime, her design became the foundation for modern ice cream machines.
Nancy Johnson’s Groundbreaking Invention
In the early 19th century, ice cream was a luxury enjoyed only by the wealthy—those with access to ice houses and servants to painstakingly stir the mixture by hand. That all changed in 1843, when an American inventor named Nancy Johnson designed and patented the world’s first hand-cranked ice cream freezer (U.S. Patent No. 3254).
Her invention, known as the “Artificial Freezer,” introduced a game-changing technique that produced smoother, creamier ice cream far more efficiently than ever before. The design was elegantly simple: a wooden tub filled with salt and crushed ice, surrounding a metal container with paddles inside. The hand crank turned the paddles, churning the mixture evenly while keeping it cold—a revolutionary step towards modern ice cream production.
For the first time, families could make their own ice cream at home, experimenting with different flavours and textures. Johnson’s freezer turned ice cream from an elite delicacy into a universal delight, setting the stage for the future of the global ice cream industry.
The Legacy of a Woman Ahead of Her Time
Despite the brilliance of her invention, Nancy Johnson didn’t receive the full recognition she deserved. Like many women innovators of her era, she lacked the financial means to mass-produce her device and later sold the patent to a businessman. However, her impact was undeniable—her design became the blueprint for nearly all ice cream makers that followed, including modern electric machines.
Her contribution reminds us that women’s innovations have often been overlooked in history, yet their influence is woven into the very fabric of our daily lives. From household kitchens to today’s artisanal ice cream parlours, Johnson’s legacy is still very much alive.
Agnes Marshall: The Queen of Ices (1880s-1900s)
Contribution: Revolutionised ice cream production and technology
- A Victorian-era entrepreneur, Agnes Marshall popularised ice cream in Britain through her cookbooks and inventions.
- She patented a hand-cranked ice cream maker for home use and even proposed using liquid gases to freeze ice cream—an idea that foreshadowed modern liquid nitrogen ice cream.
- Her 1888 cookbook introduced the idea of a baked cone as a portable way to enjoy ice cream, predicting the ice cream cone decades before its mainstream popularity.
Agnes Marshall was a culinary pioneer whose cookbooks, inventions, and even early experiments with liquid nitrogen took ice cream to new heights.
Often referred to as the “Queen of Ices”, Marshall played a crucial role in popularising ice cream in Victorian Britain, turning it from an exclusive luxury into a household favourite.
Agnes Marshall – A Life Devoted to Culinary Innovation
Born in 1855, Agnes Bertha Marshall was more than just a cookbook author – she was a trailblazer in the world of food, combining entrepreneurial flair with culinary expertise.
At a time when ice cream was still a novelty, Marshall helped drive its popularity, even influencing a national boom in Nordic ice imports to Britain.
Her passion for ice cream was evident in her groundbreaking cookbooks, particularly The Book of Ices (1885) and Fancy Ices (1894). These weren’t just collections of recipes; they were detailed guides to making everything from sorbets and mousses to chilled soufflés and elaborate ice creams.
Her clear, precise instructions made ice cream making more accessible, while her innovative spirit led her to design and patent her own appliances and moulds—including a hand-cranked ice cream maker for home use.
One of her most forward-thinking ideas appeared in her 1888 cookbook, where she described a baked cone as a portable way to serve ice cream – a concept that foreshadowed the ice cream cone as we know it today!
But Marshall’s impact extended far beyond her books. In 1883, she established a cookery school in London, which became a hub for culinary innovation.
She also managed a team of skilled craftsmen to create affordable ice cream moulds and appliances, ensuring that making ice cream was no longer just for the wealthy elite, but accessible to the everyday home cook.
Agnes Marshall’s Vision for the Future of Ice Cream
Perhaps her most futuristic idea was her proposal to use liquid air in ice cream production.
In 1901, she wrote about the concept of flash-freezing ice cream with liquid gases, an idea that would only become a reality over a century later with the modern use of liquid nitrogen in ice cream making.
This was a groundbreaking vision, demonstrating not only her passion for innovation but also her deep understanding of the culinary arts as a space for scientific advancement. Long before molecular gastronomy, Marshall had already seen the potential for technology to revolutionise food.
Rediscovering Agnes Marshall’s Legacy
Despite her immense influence during her lifetime, Agnes Marshall’s name gradually faded into obscurity after her death in 1905. However, the late 20th century saw a resurgence of interest in her work, rightfully restoring her place as one of the most influential culinary figures of the Victorian era.
Her legacy is a reminder that innovation, entrepreneurship, and passion can leave a lasting mark—even on something as simple and joyous as ice cream.
What Would These Groundbreaking Women Think of Ice Cream Today?
If Mrs. Eales, Nancy Johnson, and Agnes Marshall could see the ice cream industry now, they’d probably be amazed by its evolution.
- 🍨 Flavours & Trends: Ice cream has expanded from simple cream-based recipes to thousands of varieties, including vegan, low-calorie, and even savoury flavours. Today, the most popular flavours worldwide include vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and cookies & cream
- ⚙️ Automation & Production: Where Johnson’s hand-cranked freezer once led the way, today’s fully automated ice cream machines can produce thousands of litres per hour.
- 🥑 Dietary Advancements: Marshall’s vision for innovation lives on in dairy-free, sugar-free, and protein-enriched ice creams, catering to modern dietary needs.
- 🍦 Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream: Would Agnes Marshall be delighted to see her 1901 prediction come true? High-end dessert shops now use liquid nitrogen to create instant, ultra-smooth ice cream.
From factory production lines to handcrafted artisanal creations, ice cream continues to evolve—just as these pioneering women envisioned.
The Final Scoop – Celebrating the Women Who Shaped Ice Cream
Ice cream is more than just a dessert – it’s a story of creativity, innovation, and progress. From Mrs. Mary Eales’s first printed English recipe to Nancy Johnson’s hand-cranked freezer, and Agnes Marshall’s visionary techniques, women have played a crucial role in making ice cream what it is today.
These three women transformed ice cream from a luxury into an everyday dessert, each leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.
So, the next time you enjoy your favourite flavour, take a moment to remember the women who helped make ice cream what it is today!
Their contributions remind us that women’s innovations have shaped history in ways big and small—and their influence can be found in every scoop, swirl, and cone we enjoy.
It’s been wonderful learning about these incredible women and we’ve loved sharing their stories in this article.
👉🏽 Which of these ice cream pioneers inspires you the most?
👉🏽 What’s your favourite ice cream innovation—classic recipes, new flavours, or cutting-edge techniques?
Share your thoughts in the comments and let’s celebrate the women who made our favourite frozen treat possible!
We hope that you have enjoyed our article – Celebrating Women Who Shaped Ice Cream For International Women’s Day – and that you have enjoyed learning about these three extraordinary women who helped make ice cream become what it is today.
If you have any questions, please drop us a comment below and we will be happy to get back to you.
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The history of women shaping the ice cream industry is such an inspiring and often overlooked story! It’s incredible to see how their innovations, from recipes to business ventures, have influenced the frozen treat we all love today.
Recognizing their contributions on International Women’s Day feels especially fitting, as it highlights the impact of women in food and entrepreneurship.
I’d love to know, are there any particular women in ice cream history whose contributions stand out the most to you? And do you think their influence is still shaping the industry today?
Hey Marlinda,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, I couldn’t agree with you more – these women’s contributions to the ice cream industry are often overlooked, yet their innovations completely transformed how we enjoy ice cream today.
For me, Agnes Marshall’s work is especially impressive – the fact that she envisioned using liquid gases for ice cream over a century before modern chefs made it a trend is just incredible! Today, liquid nitrogen ice cream is a staple in high-end restaurants and food labs, yet most people have no idea that the idea was conceived way back in the Victorian era!
And what really inspires me is that all three of these women had to overcome enormous barriers just to be heard.
In their respective times, women weren’t taken seriously in business, science or innovation, yet still these three incredible women managed to revolutionise an entire industry. And their innovations are still shaping the ice cream world today – whether through production techniques, accessibility, or even the way we experiment with flavours and textures.
I loved researching for this article, learning about these women and bringing it together. So glad you found this as inspiring as I did!
Which of these pioneers do you find most fascinating?
Once again thanks for dropping by and for your lovely comment.
Wishing you a wonderful IWD!
Cherie
Hello Cherie!
What a fun and inspiring read! It’s amazing to see how women have played such a vital role in shaping the ice cream industry. I had no idea about some of these pioneers, and it’s so refreshing to celebrate their contributions—not just in creating delicious treats but also in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Do you have a favorite story or woman from the list who really stood out to you? I’d love to dive deeper into their impact. Thanks for sharing this—it’s the perfect way to celebrate International Women’s Day with a scoop (or two) of appreciation!
Angela M 🙂
Hi Angela,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I’m so glad you enjoyed the read! It really is incredible to see how women have shaped the ice cream industry, and yet their stories remain so underappreciated.
For me, Agnes Marshall truly stands out. She was such a visionary – not only did she popularise ice cream in Victorian Britain, but she even predicted the use of liquid gases like nitrogen for making ice cream!
The fact that her ideas are now used in high-end restaurants and modern food science is just mind-blowing, what vision! It makes me wonder what she would think if she could see ice cream today!
That said, I’m inspired by all three women – especially knowing how much harder they had to fight for recognition in their time. Their resilience and creativity are a true testament to the power of women in innovation.
Do you have a favourite inspiring woman from the article? Or are there any other pioneering women in food history that inspire you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Again, thanks for dropping by and sharing your thoughts.
All the best & Happy IWD!
Cherie