Packaged Sweets

When it came to packaging, nothing changed quite like candy sales.  Early in the 20th century, candy was sold almost solely in confectioner's stores.  It was sold by bulk, half-pound, one-pound two-pound and five-pound amounts.  No one carried just a few pieces.  If you visited historical spots (mine in the Midwest), you could still visit such store in the 1960s.  The sales clerk would "measure out" the amount you wanted, weigh it, and bag it for you.  You left with a bag of "fresh candy." 

Around 1920, small packages of candy began to be displayed in drugstores, cigar stores, newsstands, grocery stores and "penny candy" was available by the piece, pre-packaged for the consumer.  If you are as old as I am, you remember the jaw-breaker, the pixie-stick, the tootsie roll type of penny candy that somehow ate up your allowance as a kid! 

Then came the 5 cent candy bar which became synonymous with candy today - Hershey, Babe Ruth, O Henry, Pay Day, Wayne Bun, and Mars bars.  The candy bar found its way into desk drawers and pockets and the consumption of candy rose in the United States.  The number of confectionery stores also declined from 63,000 in 1929 to only 14,000 by 1969.  During this time the same thing was happening with potato chips, nuts and chewing gun.  Small packages were now available in more and more products.

One of the most iconic products happened when two businessmen bought the Mint Products company.  Prior to their purchase the mints were packaged in cardboard boxes that were pasted together.  Over time on the shelf, the mints would lose their mint flavor and began to absorb the flavor of paste.  Under new management, the cardboard pasted box was discarded in favor of the aluminum foil roll, and the  Life Saver was born.  What was your favorite flavor of Life Saver?  (Mine was Butter Rum!)

Next time...The Consumer Revolution
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Today in Pioneer History: "On March 9, 1959, the iconic Barbie doll goes on display at the American Toy Fair in New York City. (and my childhood love was born :)  Her appearance modeled a doll named Lili on a German comic strip character.  When Mattel bought the rights to Lili, they redesigned their own version, naming it after Mattel's co-founder's daughter, Barbara.  Standing 11 inches tall with a waterfall of blonde hair, Barbie was the first mass-produced toy doll in the United States with adult features.  Happy Birthday Barbie!"