Origins: M&Ms

Today we’re unwrapping the sweet story behind one of the world's most popular candies—M&Ms. These little bits of chocolate heaven are not just tasty; they have a history that's as rich as their chocolate core.

It all started in the early 1940s, during the turmoil of World War II. Forrest Mars Sr., of the Mars Company, saw soldiers eating pellet-sized chocolate beads encased in a hard sugar shell during the Spanish Civil War. This ingenious design prevented the chocolates from melting in the soldiers’ hands, which sparked an idea in Mars.

Mars returned to the United States with this concept and reached out to Bruce Murrie, the son of Hershey Chocolate’s president. The partnership was crucial because Hershey controlled a large ration of the available chocolate, due to wartime restrictions. Mars and Murrie’s collaboration gave birth to M&Ms in 1941—taking the initials of their last names, Mars and Murrie.

Initially, M&Ms were sold exclusively to the military. The candies were packed in cardboard tubes and shipped overseas to U.S. troops. Their durability and convenience made them an instant hit among soldiers.

Post-war, M&Ms became available to the public and quickly soared in popularity. In 1950, the candies got a signature look with the "M" stamped on each piece, originally in black ink, which was later changed to white in 1954.

As M&Ms grew in fame, so did their color palette. The original colors of brown, yellow, green, red, and violet (later replaced by orange) became iconic. Over the years, the brand has introduced a variety of new colors and flavors, adapting to public tastes and trends.

Today, M&Ms are more than just a candy; they're a cultural icon, featured everywhere from presidential candy bowls to space shuttle missions, proving that great ideas can come from anywhere—even a battlefield.

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