Sweet Memories: An Old Fashioned Candy Timeline

Just like fashion, film, and cars, the world of candy has gone through many changes throughout the decades, adapting to fit tastes and trends of the day. Today, we’ll be taking a tour through the highlights of old fashioned candy, seeing what Americans have loved throughout the decades.

The 1900s

• 1900 was a huge year for American chocolate! This is the year that Milton Hershey introduces a variation on what will become the Hershey’s chocolate bar. Not bad, considering chocolate makes up 50% of Americans’ annual candy intake!
• In 1901, NECCO Candy Wafers, an old fashioned candy icon, appear on the scene. Did you know that NECCO stands for New England Candy Company?
• In 1904, candy giant Emil. J. Brach invests $1000 to begin Brach’s Palace of Sweets, thus beginning Brach’s candy.

The 1910s

• In 1911, Ethel and Frank Mars open a candy company in Tacoma, Washington. This company would later become Mars, Inc., which would go on to become one of the largest privately-owned candy companies in the world.
• In 1912, the Whitman’s Sampler Box is introduced. This is the first box of chocolates to include a guide for users to choose which chocolate candy they would prefer to eat.
• In 1916, George DeMet introduces the chocolate turtle, a chocolate-covered cluster of caramel and nuts that resembles the shelled reptile.

The 1920s

• 1922 was huge for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. This is the year H. B. Reese creates the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.
• In 1924, the Akron Candy Company introduces a favorite of bank tellers and old fashioned candy lovers everywhere: DumDums Lollipops.

The 1930s

• 1930 started the decade off with a bang with the introduction of the Snickers bar by MandM Mars. Named for the family’s beloved horse, the Snickers bar remains one of the best-selling candy bars of all time.
• In 1931, just a year later, Tootsie Roll Pops are introduced. These are considered one of the first novelty candies, due to their containing two types of candy in one.

The 1940s

• In 1941, MandM Mars introduces plain MandMs. These bite-sized candies were designed to make up for lower chocolate sales in the summer months, explaining their famous slogan that they “melt in your mouth, not in your hand.”
• If your old fashioned candy loving friends have ever talked about bubblegum cigars for baby showers, they have El Bubble to thank. These were first 5-cent bubblegum, introduced in 1949.

The 1950s

• 1954 sees divisive candy Marshmallow peeps introduced into the retro candy canon. Shaped like easter chicks, Peeps have been dividing candy lovers ever since.
• A staple of Halloween and party lovers alike, candy necklaces are introduced in 1958.

These are only some of the enduring candy classics we’ve seen introduced through the first half of the 20th century. Subsequent decades saw the birth of enduring soft candy classics like Starburst Fruit Chews, as well as some more niche favorites like Zots, Cella’s Cherries, and Clove Gum.

Whether you’re a lover of retro candy classics or simply looking to learn something about your favorite confection, the trends in American candy consumption can teach us a lot about what we love as a country. And with the advent of the online candy shop, it’s no longer impossible to get the hard-to-find treats that made up the taste of your childhood.

What’s your favorite retro candy? Let us know in the comments below!