candy - Retroland

Astro Pop

The Space Age was in full swing after World War II. Swift technological progress and widespread economic growth gave birth to a culture in love with rockets, space stations, and dreams of life on the moon. Every kid wanted to be an astronaut, and every week, a new toy or TV show was there to feed that dream. Spangler Candy of Bryan, Ohio, (founded in 1906) met this demand with the snazzy, rocket-shaped Astro Pop. This lollipop, a thin inverted cone of hard candy on stick, suggested a three-stage rocket: a red cherry-flavored lower section, a dark green lime middle, and a long yellow tip of lemon.

Valentine’s Day

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Though much of modern history, we have set aside February 14th as a special day to collectively show our love and affection to those we fondly regard in our lives. For the adults of the world, it's a day of chocolates and cupids, of roses and romance, of candlelight dinners and diamonds. For the younger among us, things have always been a bit more innocent and, thankfully, inexpensive. But, whether you loved it or loathed it as a kid, the mere mention of Valentine's Day is certain to bring back memories of crushes and candy and classroom activities - childhood traditions that endure to this day.

Marathon Bar

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Back in the 70s, there was a true giant in the confectionery world. Sporting a bright red wrapper and containing a full 8” of chocolate and caramel goodness, the Marathon Bar couldn’t help but catch your eye in the candy aisle. And if you were a kid trying to get the most from your measly allowance, this was a surefire way to get some bang from your candy buck. Let’s take a look back.

Necco Wafers

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There are a number of candies that just seem like they have always been here. And that's because their invention far exceeds any of our lifespans. And if you ever wanted to know what the oldest continually-produced candy in America is, look no further than those powdery quarter-shaped wafers, known the world over as Necco.

Candy Canes

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They are the quintessential Christmas confection, a traditional treat beloved the world over. One glimpse of their prominent red and white stripes is all it takes to recognize them as candy canes, a treat that has been putting kids in the holiday spirit for well over three hundred years

Ribbon Candy

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Although perhaps not as prevalent as its confectionery cousin, the candy cane, there are few traditional holiday treats as regal in appearance as ribbon candy. Festively-colored and possessing a satin sheen, it has remained a staple of Christmas candy dishes since the turn of the century.

Pop Rocks

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Inventing a new candy can be somewhat akin to reinventing the wheel, but when Pop Rocks exploded onto the market in the 70s, they were unlike any confection that preceded them. Word-of-mouth quickly propelled them to the top of the "must have" list among young consumers, and also contributed to one of the most fanciful urban legends of all time. We'll get to that in a moment but first, let's take a look back at the origins of this effervescent treat.

Smarties

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You've just spent the evening knocking on every neighborhood door within sight, watching your pillowcase or plastic jack o' lantern gradually fill with tasty confections. Returning home, you eagerly dump out the rewards of your labor and scan to see what you've collected. And, much like every other kid who has ever performed this ritual, you are likely to come across a few rolls of little tablet-shaped candies wrapped in clear plastic. Both sweet and tangy, with a distinct powdery consistency, Smarties have been a staple of Halloween for over six decades.

Zots

Dum Dum Pops

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A staple of trick or treat sacks for decades, Dum Dum Pops are more than just a Halloween delicacy. Since their debut in 1924, adults have kept a supply of these flavorful confections on hand at the bank, doctor's office, or any other place that a fidgety kid might benefit from a flavorful distraction, making them the second most popular lollipop of all time.