• 1932

Sherman Kelly, while vacationing in West Palm Beach, Florida, observed a young woman dipping ice cream. Noticing the blisters on her hand from the constant use of the disher in the hard ice cream, he thought to himself, there must be a better way to serve ice cream.

• 1933

Sherman Kelly developed the design for the Zeroll Ice Cream Dipper and received a patent.

The dipper was a non-mechanical ice cream scoop, made of cast aluminum, with fluid inside the handle. Its unique design transferred heat from the user’s hand, warming the fluid, which in turn defrosted the ice cream dipper.

• 1934

Midst of Great Depression, Zeroll’s ability to roll the ice cream into a ball instead of squeezing it, allowing the dispenser to get 10% - 20% more servings per gallon. This was one of its key selling points, especially in the Great Depression.

• 1935

The Zeroll Co. is established in Kelly’s garage on Robinwood Avenue in Toledo, Ohio. His wife, Hazel, worked for him at a wage of fifty cents per hour.  ALCOA, the Aluminum Company of America, made the scoop to Kelly’s specifications.  Priced at $2.25 and available in 5 different sizes.  It came with a five-day, money-back guarantee.

• 1936

Zeroll  sells thousands of scoops in its first full-year of production.

• 1939 – 1945 WWII

Production stalled.  The aluminum needed to produce the scoops was diverted to wartime use. The business was virtually dormant for several years.  Its main source of income came from refurbishing and polishing scoops for existing customers.

• 1946

Sherman’s son (Ralph) and Noel Dowling revived the company.  According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, The Zeroll Co. was one of the first to obtain aluminum after the war. Zeroll also developed scoops lacking the fluid-filled handles.  These were meant to capitalize on the increasing home market.

• 1950

Sherman Kelly passed away, at age 83. 

• 1953

Ralph moves the company to Maumee, Ohio and changes name to Roll Dippers.  For the next 15 years, it was as slow period for the Company.

• 1968

Tom and Art Funka purchase the Company and enjoy the challenge of turning The Zeroll Co. back into the successful business it once was.   They attended tradeshows and sent out mass mailings to market their products and instituted a network of sales representatives throughout the country.

• 1981

The Company moves back to Toledo and changes name back to The Zeroll Co.

• 1985

Zerolon line is developed.  The hardcoat anodized finish, sealed with Teflon protects against hard or over-chlorinated water that can be detrimental to the aluminum finish of the scoops.

• 1989

EZ Dishers are introduced by Zeroll.  A one-piece, ergonomically designed, spring-less food portioner, available in thirteen sizes.

• 1990

Zeroll moves to Fort Pierce, Florida.

• 2004

The Museum of Modern Art features the Zeroll Scoop in the Humble Masterpieces permanent collection. 

• 2007

The Original TubMate Spade is re-designed with a longer handle and thicker blade. The Zelato Spade, a portioner for Gelato, is also introduced. 

• 2008

The Legacy Companies acquires Zeroll and chooses to keep the heritage of Zeroll and the brand name.

• 2015

Zeroll moves manufacturing to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

From humble beginnings in a garage to today, The Zeroll Co. is proud of its heritage and will continue to be a pioneer in the world of smallwares for years to come.