Timeline

A sweet path

Spangler has cornered the market on nostalgic candy. Here is a history of a few of the candies Spangler makes today.

1650 According to legend, a choirmaster in Germany, created and handed out candy canes to young singers to keep them quiet during the living creche ceremony.

1847 Oliver Chase, an English immigrant, invented a machine with which he produced candy wafers. They became known as Necco Wafers in the early 20th century.

1901 Sweethearts were invented by Daniel Chase, Oliver Chase’s brother. He designed a machine that was able to press on the candy similar to a stamp, making the heart-shape possible.

1924 Akron Candy Company creates Dum-Dums in Bellevue, Ohio. Schutter-Johnson Company invents BitO-Honey in Chicago.

1953 Spangler acquired Dum Dums.

1954 Spangler acquired A-Z Christmas Candy Canes from Detroit.

2018 Spangler acquired three iconic candy brandsNecco Wafers, Sweethearts and Canada Mints from the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) in Revere, Mass. It also acquired the Bit-O-Honey from Pearson Candy in Saint Paul, Minn.

2024 Dum-Dums and Bit-OHoney celebrate their 100th anniversaries.

— Annie Lust, Graceful Living