Whipped cream, known historically as 'milk snow' (neve di latte in Italian or neige de lait in French), has been enjoyed since at least the 16th century. Its first documented mention dates back to Italy in the 1549 book 'Opera dell'arte del cucinare' by Bartolomeo Scappi, the cook to Pope Pius V. Initially, it was made by manually whipping cream with willow or rush branches. The invention of the mechanical whipping siphon in the 19th century modernized its preparation, allowing whipped cream to become a widespread and beloved topping and ingredient in various desserts and cocktails.