All that Jazz and Old Fashioned Candy
The world in the 1940's was somewhat tumultuous. With WWII ushering in the decade there was some unrest and new realities that people had to face. Although the war changed many things, there were still some bright new ideas to be had. During the 1940's the world was introduced to televisions with colour! The Polaroid Camera came to be, producing photos instantaneously, well, within a minute. Over 55% of the population finally had indoor plumbing, and the cool new toy around was the "Slinky".
The sound of "Swing" music played on the newly invented Jukebox, and the faint echo of Rock N Roll could be heard emerging in Rhythm and Blues music, Gospel and Jazz.
Besides all the great music, the people of the 1940's had candy! Certain ingredients were rationed, but they still found a way to give the folks of the 40's all that soothing, sweet candy!
Here are our Top 10 Candies from the 1940's...
#1. Almond Joy Candy Bar
The appetizing Almond Joy Candy Bar first introduced in 1946. This old-fashioned candy bar consists of a chewy and satisfying coconut filling, studded with almonds on top and completely enrobed in all of the goodness of rich and creamy milk chocolate. The Almond Joy Bar was first manufactured by the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company until it was acquired by Hershey's in 1988. The Almond Joy Bar is a sister candy bar to the Mounds candy bar. The Mounds candy bar is made with dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate and has no almonds. The famous slogan for these two candy bars came out in the 1970's, "Sometimes you feel like a nut"(Almond Joy) "Sometimes you don't"(Mounds). However nutty you might feel, the Almond Joy Candy Bar is certainly one to be enjoyed!
#2. Jolly Ranchers Candy
Tangy and so delicious! Jolly Ranchers Candy came out in 1949. Started by Bill and Dorthy Harmsen, their first sweet venture was in making ice cream until they realized the want for hard candies became more popular than ice cream. The Jolly Rancher Candy is nothing short of fruity, juicy tasting and mouthwatering, truly an intense hard and longlasting candy! This old-fashioned candy has only grown since the 1940's, not only are there the original fruity selection of Jolly Rancher Candy, there are now Jolly Rancher Lollipops to be had, hot and spicy Jolly Ranchers and chewy morsels. The one thing they all have in common is that intense, superb taste of Jolly Rancher flavours that we've come to know and love!
#3. Allan Hot Lips Candy
A hot, red chewy candy in the shape of luscious lips! Hot Lips Candy is an old-fashioned Canadian Candy that was all started by the Allan Candy Company, coming from Hamilton, Ontario. The Allan Candy Company started out in 1931 and first gained a following for one it's very first chewy candies, Big Foot. Allan Hot Lips Candy are the perfect balance of sweet with heat and offer an intense cinnamon tasting rush! The founder of the Allan Candy Co. was Allan Vertleib. He started in his very own kitchen located in Hamilton, making lollipops and selling them from his home. Eventually, his sweet candy visions grew into one of the largest Canadian candy companies. Allan Hot Lips are not only eaten here in Canada but can be found across the United States. Hot Lips Candy is a chewy, aromatic, cinnamon candy experience. Since their debut in the 1940's, they remain an enticing Canadian candy!
#4. Bazooka Gum
We've been chewing this sweet bubblegum since 1947! Bazooka Gum is an old-fashioned, favourite bubble gum with that distinctive sweetness we can all remember peeling off of our faces! Bazooka Bubble Gum is made by the Topps Company of Brooklyn, New York. Originally Bazooka came with a comic strip and its packaging was composed of red, white and blue colours, and sold for one cent. The packaging is now a brighter blue and hot fuschia pink colour. Bazooka is trying to modernize the bubble gum, in doing so our beloved Bazooka Bubble Gum no longer includes a comic, but a selection of brain teasers. We know it no longer sells for one cent, but it remains an iconic bubble gum we still love to chew!
#5. Junior Mints
These sweet and refreshing old fashioned candies were introduced in 1949. Junior Mints are perfect morsels of a peppermint round that are covered in rich dark chocolate. Junior Mints are the creation of James O Welch, who started the James O Welch Candy Company. Today, Junior Mints Candies are produced by Tootsie Roll Industries. When James O Welch came up with Junior Mints he decided to name that his very favourite book, that later turned into a Broadway show. The book was a favourite read of the 40's and was called "Junior Miss". A clever play on words by Mr. Welch, as fans began to associate his candies with the popular book. Junior Mints have not changed much since their release in the late 1940's. These old-fashioned, minty gems remain a staple in the world of candy. They are a number one seller at the movie theatre. Whether you're at the movie's or comfy cozy at home on the couch, Junior Mints make for a refreshing, delightful candy anytime!
#6. Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip
Powdery, distinctively sweet, and one of the best sugar rush around! Lik-M-Aid or Fun Dip came out in 1942. This old fashioned candy has been licked and dipped on billions of fingertips all across North America. Originally this was known as Lik-M-Aid upon its introduction and there was no dipping candy stick included, you had to use your fingers! Lik-M-Aid seemed to disappear before reemerging on the candy market in the early 1970's. It was now known as Fun Dip. This newly named candy now came with a candy stick meant for dipping into the duo or trio of candy powders. Originally the Lik-M-Aid candy during the 1940's came in the flavours of Cherry and Orange. The FunDip of the 70's, along with the candy stick for dipping came in Lime, Cherry and Grape and has since expanded its flavours. Fun Dip is made by Ferrara Candy Company and was part of the Willy Wonka Candy collection. Whether you eat the candy stick first, or use it for dipping, or dump the packet directly into your mouth, this is one old fashioned candy that
is flavourful, unique and fun!
#7. York Peppermint Pattie
A round peppermint filled chocolate treat, that is enrobed in decadent, rich dark chocolate, the York Peppermint Pattie was introduced in 1940. This old fashioned candy is an enticing, refreshing minty treat that has been loved and enjoyed for generations! The York Peppermint Pattie was first made by the York Cone Company from York, Pennsylvania until it was acquired by Hershey's in 1998. The York Peppermint Pattie is one of the oldest and most popular peppermint chocolate treats around. Get the "sensation" with York Peppermint Pattie!
#8. Smarties Candy-Rockets
These aren't our beloved Canadian chocolate Smarties, but rather the American version of our candy Rockets. Smarties are an old-fashioned American branded candy, coming out in 1949. Smarties are a roll of a tablet like candy that comes in various pastel colours, white, green, pink, yellow, purple and orange. Smarties are produced by the Smarties Candy Company and are a popular old-fashioned candy worldwide! The reason why they're called Rockets here in Canada is so they don't get confused with our chocolate-filled Smarties! Smarties are made in Union Township, New Jersey and in Newmarket, Ontario. Smarties or Rockets whatever you might call them, are a classic and tasty candy we still love today!
#9. Saf-T-Pops Lollipops
Saf-T-Pops Lollipops were introduced in 1940. These lollipops are an old-fashioned candy that had a special handle for toddlers, it was in the shape of a loop to prevent choking. The idea came from Carl Spohr and Robert Bracke, in 1942 the Curtiss Candy Company acquired the rights to Saf-T-Pops. These are now made by the Spangler Company. Saf-T-Pops was a novel idea for the time and let parents feel secure while giving their children a sweet treat!
#10. M&M's Chocolate Candy
This famous, old fashioned candy made its unforgettable debut in 1941. M&M's Candy was invented by Forrest Mars, the son of Frank Mars. Candy was in the genes for this family! Forrest first thought of M&M's while in Spain during the civil war. He noticed the British soldiers eating handfuls of a round, hard-shelled candy. He became very interested in this candy, he soon discovered they were a hard candy shelled, coated chocolate. This got Forrest very intrigued, as he had a candy connection! Forrest Mars got his candy patented when he returned home and partnered up with Bruce Murrie. The M&M candy was born! A chocolate filled little round, colourful candy that was delicious, and at at the same time so convenient to eat. Bruce and Forrest created one of the most popular, and loved candies of all times!
M&M's were given to the soldiers of WWII as they would not melt, and give them some much-needed fuel. The US Army was M&M's very first big customer.
In 1949, M&M's coined the slogan " Melts in your mouth, not in your hand." Always a bonus when eating chocolate!
These colourful gems have been filled with various fillings since then, and even come in some different colours. The M&M Candy Collection is an iconic old fashioned candy that is now known and loved worldwide!
Old Fashioned Candies made life a little sweeter!
The 1940's may not have been the best of times. But along with their new colour televisions, instant Polaroid pictures, and their invigorating modern music, they had candy! Lots of delicious candy to be had. We all know the power of candy, and how it always makes things a little sweeter.
1 comment
Not sure of spelling but saw no mention of “Lick a mades”. My favorite candy from the 50’s.