1904 Emil J.Brach invested $1000 to create the 'Brach's Palace of Sweets, ' thus, Brach's Candy was born.1902 New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) makes the first Conversation Hearts, which are still a thriving Valentine’s tradition.The name stands for New England Confectionery Company

1901 Multicolored candy disks called NECCO Wafers first appeared.

1901 The King Leo pure peppermint stick candy is developed.

Find out what flavor it tastes like and the dance craze inspired here.

1900 Clark Gum Company introduced Teaberry Gum.

1900 A significant year as Milton Hershey introduced a chocolate variation of what will eventually become the Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar.

The name changes to Judson Atkinson 45 years later

1899 The Jenner Manufacturing company is created.

1897 Candy Floss, also known as Cotton Candy, became mainstream because of the invention of the electrical cotton candy machine.

1890 Legend has it that an unnamed Southern lady was making taffy but added the wrong ingredient resulting in the first batch of Peanut Brittle.

1896 Leo Hirshfield, New York confectioner, introduces Tootsie Rolls, named after his daughter's nickname, 'Tootsie.' Learn more about this longtime favorite here.

1894 Milton Hershey created what is known as the first 'American' candy bar, although his famous Milk Chocolate Bar won’t be invented for a few more years.

1893 Thomas Richardson, creator of Richardson Brands, presents Pastel Mints at a department store in Philadelphia, PA.

introduced Juicy Fruit Chewing Gum and Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum Ironically, the machinery manufacturer was a German company and gave Mr.Hershey a 'great' deal, so they didn't have to ship the equipment back to Europe!

1893 Milton Hershey attends the World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago and watches chocolate being manufactured.1893 Quaker City Confectionery Company, located outside of Philadelphia, presents Good & Plenty, which goes on to be the oldest branded retro candy still in production.1891 Claus Doscher opened Doscher Brothers Confections, and a few years later, after tasting taffy in France, the company introduced the famed French Chews.1890 The Piedmont Candy Company, the manufacturer of Red Bird Peppermint Puffs, is founded in Lexington, North Carolina.1881 Reed's Candy Company opened its doors in Chicago and produced a butterscotch candy later called Reed's Rolls.1880 Wunderle Candy Company created candy corn which, over a hundred years later, is still a best-selling Halloween candy.Thompson created Thompson Chocolate with the stated goal to 'make only quality products.' 1868 Richard & George Cadbury, the second generation of Cadburys, makes the first Valentine's Day box of chocolates, starting the tradition that continues today.1864 The first chocolate-covered liquid center cherry was invented by Cella's Cherries.1854 The first packaged box of Whitman's Chocolate hits the scene.1848 John Curtis produced the first branded chewing gum, made from tree sap, called The State of Maine Spruce Gum.1847 Oliver Chase invented the machine for cutting lozenges and hence, the fabled Necco Wafer was born.1847 Joseph Fry invented the first 'modern' candy bar in England by mixed cacao butter, cocoa, and sugar into a paste and placing it in a mold.PS: The vintage picture above is our first candy showroom Circa. Still, it is interesting that 65 percent of American candy bars have been around for more than 60 years, and giant conglomerates have acquired many original brands. Of course, as you will see, many retro candies and their founding companies have come and gone. Five hundred years later, the love of chocolate continues stronger than ever.Īlthough it would be impossible to present a detailed history, this timeline illustrates the development of the American candy industry from the 1800s onward. Perhaps we could say that the fascination with candy, particularly chocolate, first occurred in 1502 when Christopher Columbus returned home from his fourth voyage of the 'Americas.' Although he was not partial to this bittersweet treat, his benefactors in Spain found it fascinating and consumed it in a liquid format. Established in 1927, we have seen many candy trends come and go, and we are often asked about the history of candy and the current craze for retro sweets.

Zotz candy history