Chocolate Through the 1900s
During the 1900s, chocolate became a household favorite as manufacturing advances made it more affordable. Iconic brands emerged, and chocolate bars, candies, and drinks gained global popularity.
During the 1900s, chocolate became a household favorite as manufacturing advances made it more affordable. Iconic brands emerged, and chocolate bars, candies, and drinks gained global popularity.
From Hershey Kisses to M&M's, the 20th century gave us the candy bars and chocolate treats that still fill store shelves today.
Milton S. Hershey introduced the Milk Chocolate Bar, making affordable milk chocolate available to everyday Americans for the first time.
Milton Hershey built a chocolate factory and an entire town for his workers near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — with homes, schools, and parks designed to give employees a better life.
The Cadbury Company developed their iconic Dairy Milk chocolate bar, using a higher proportion of milk than any previous recipe. It became the company's best-selling product.
The town of Derry Church, Pennsylvania, changed its name to Hershey in honor of Milton S. Hershey and the thriving chocolate community he had built there.
On July 1, 1907, the first Hershey Kisses were made — named for the smooching sound the chocolate made as it was dropped onto the conveyor belt.
Theodore Tobler developed the unique triangular nougat-filled chocolate bar called Toblerone — its distinctive mountain shape inspired by the Swiss Alps.
Frank and Ethel Mars built a candy company in Tacoma, Washington. It would later become Mars, Inc. — one of the largest candy companies in the world.
The Whitman Company produced the first boxed assortments called Whitman's Samplers — the first candy box to include a printed guide showing which chocolates are where.
The Fry family — makers of the first chocolate bar — merged with Cadbury Brothers, combining two of England's oldest chocolate companies into one.
The Mounds candy bar was invented by Peter Paul Halijian and sold under the name Peter Paul Mounds — a coconut and dark chocolate combination still popular today.
H. B. Reese made the first Reese's peanut butter cup using Hershey's milk chocolate — creating one of the most beloved candy combinations in history.
Frank Mars created the first Milky Way candy bar, featuring a nougat center covered in chocolate — inspired by the taste of a malted milkshake.
Frank Mars made the first Snickers candy bar — loaded with nougat, caramel, and peanuts, all covered in milk chocolate. It went on to become one of the best-selling candy bars in the world.
Blommer Chocolate Company began manufacturing in Chicago, Illinois. It would become the largest commercial chocolate manufacturer in the United States.
Peter Paul introduced the Almond Joy candy bar — a milk chocolate-covered coconut bar topped with whole almonds, the sweeter companion to the Mounds bar.
Hershey's Kisses were wrapped in colors other than silver for the first time, opening the door to the holiday-themed Kisses that are popular today.
The Campbell Soup Company purchased Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. of Belgium, bringing the luxury chocolate brand under American ownership.
The Cadbury chocolate business merged with the Schweppes soft drinks company to form Cadbury Schweppes, one of the world's largest food and beverage companies.
Hershey Foods Corporation opened its theme park, Hershey's Chocolate World, in Pennsylvania — letting visitors experience the chocolate-making process up close. That same year, Cadbury opened Chocolate World in Bournville, England.
Nestlé purchased British chocolate and candy manufacturer Rowntree, making Nestlé the world's largest chocolate manufacturer.
The first Hershey's Hugs — Hershey's Kisses wrapped in white chocolate — went on sale, adding another beloved variety to the famous Kiss lineup.