There are two schools of thought when it comes to the origin of water-ice.

Eastern historians believe that the Chinese first developed some form of water-ice.

They claim that Marco Polo enjoyed this treat so much, he introduced it to his friends when he returned to Europe.

When his fellow countrymen tried to credit Marco, he told them that the Chinese have been making it for thousands of years.

Western historians believe that some form of water-ice was discovered albeit accidentally during the rule of Roman emperor Nero Claudius Caesar.

Caesar often sent his servants up into the mountains to chill his various wines.

One day a servant accidentally mixed the chemical saltpeter in with the mountain snow thus causing the quick freezing effect necessary in the preparation of water-ice.