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 mixing 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. In England, during the eighteenth century, a knight was given a pound of chocolate, perhaps to compliment his shining armor, when he received his dubbing!įive 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.

Old school now and later candy