You know those little colorful candies that somehow make movie popcorn even better? Yeah, M&M’s weren’t just created to satisfy your sweet tooth—they actually have a military origin story. Turns out, they were basically the OG survival snack for soldiers.
Who Invented M&M’s?
Forrest Mars, Sr. (yep, that Mars family) was the brains behind the operation. After a falling out with his dad—Frank C. Mars, the guy who gave us Milky Way and 3 Musketeers—Forrest went solo. He traveled to Europe, worked with Nestlé, and picked up some candy-making tricks. Legend has it that during the Spanish Civil War, he saw soldiers munching on chocolate pellets coated in candy shells. That lightbulb moment? That’s where M&M’s were born.
When Were M&M’s Invented?
World War II was raging, and sugar was in short supply in the U.S. But Hershey—yep, the chocolate giant—somehow scored an unlimited sugar pass from the government. Why? Because they were supplying chocolate to troops (because nothing boosts morale like a sugar rush in the middle of war).
Forrest saw an opportunity. He cut a deal with Hershey exec William Murrie’s son—80% for Mars, 20% for Hershey—and boom: Hershey supplied the chocolate, the cash, and the tech to make M&M’s happen. And the name? It stands for Mars & Murrie. Mind. Blown.
Why Were M&M’s Invented?
Here’s the real kicker: M&M’s weren’t just a snack—they were a solution. Soldiers needed chocolate that wouldn’t melt in their pockets (or in tropical climates). Enter: the genius candy shell. That hard coating kept the chocolate inside intact, making M&M’s the perfect portable treat for troops.
After the war, civilians got hooked too. Forrest even stamped an “M” on each piece to prove they were the real deal (and, let’s be honest, to flex his branding skills).
So next time you dump M&M’s into your popcorn, remember: those little candies were literally designed to survive heat. No wonder they’re the ultimate movie snack.
