The 1940’s Candy features a lot of classic favorites! Enjoy this trip down memory lane! Candy is our favorite form of nostalgia - connecting people of all ages together for sweet, lasting memories!

1940's All Star Candy: M&M’s 

After seeing the candy coated chocolate beads used by soldiers in the Spanish Civil war, Forrest Mars Sr. was inspired to bring that idea to his own type of candy; one that would not melt as fast or as easily as other brands. M&M’s were created around the same time as when America entered the second World War, and as such, were exclusively sold to soldiers. This helped them gain their initial popularity with the American troops overseas! 

He received the patent in 1941 and began production in Newark, NJ. Red, orange, green, yellow, and violet were the original five colors, and they were packaged in a cardboard tube. These sweet treats quickly became a favorite of soldiers during the war, and when they came back home, so did M&M’s! Following their wartime popularity, M&M’s would go on to become a staple in the American household. 

Fun Facts: 

• Forrest Mars Sr. is the son of Frank C. Mars, the inventor of the Milky Way 

• Forrest Mars Sr. and Bruce Murrie of Hershey chocolate worked together to create M&M’s. Mars & Murrie = M&M 

• The candy originally had a black “M” printed on it, but was switched to the iconic white in 1954 

• M&M’s are the first candy to go to space

Popular candy from the 40's:

• El-Bubble Bubble Gum Cigars
• Bonomo Turkish Taffy 
• Candy Cigarettes 
• Fun Dip 
• Mike & Ike 
• Whoppers 
• Allan Hot Lips 
• York Peppermint Patty 
• M&Ms - 1941 
• DOTS Gumdrops - 1945 
• Bazooka Bubble Gum - 1947 
• Almond Joy - 1948 
• Junior Mints - 1949 
• Smarties - 1949

Need a gift?

Send a 1940's candy box! This box includes favorites from the 1940's along with trivia and information about that candy and a special treat!