The History of Hershey’s Chocolate!

Hello, from Michele Morris!

When I look at the picture to the right, it just makes me smile. It’s a simple thing, really . . . milk chocolate and coffee with hazelnut creamer. Yummy! This is one of my favorite indulgences.  

For more than a hundred years, chocolate has brought many smiles to the faces of Americans. We celebrate holidays with chocolate, give it as a reward, and we relax after a stressful day with chocolate.

Chocolate bars, drops, chips, and pieces fill the shelves and checkout lanes of our grocery stores. We sometimes stash it in our pantry and purse. Chocolate has even been a part of military rations in twentieth century wars.  

Chocolate is everywhere!

Did you ever wonder how it became such an ingrained part of our daily lives?

Milton Hershey c.1905

Chocolate has been around for a long time, but it was Milton S. Hershey who pioneered the mass production of milk chocolate for middle-class America. 

Hershey Factory

Mr. Hershey’s legacy began in 1894 when he decided to make a sweet version of chocolate to cover his caramels. The coating was a hit, and a new demand for the creamy confection soon inspired Milton S. Hershey to expand his business. In 1900 the production of milk chocolate bars, wafers and other shapes started an enterprising new business in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and the mass-production Milton Hershey was able to lower the price of his candy and make it more affordable to all Americans.

Dates and Notable Events of the Hershey Chocolate Company:

1894 – Milk chocolate coated caramels.

1900 – The mass production of milk chocolate brings the price down and makes the candy available for most Americans.

1905 – Hershey’s new factory opened, and local citizens and farmers find steady work with the company.

1907 – The flat bottom Hershey’s Kisses roll out of the factory. Each confection is hand wrapped in a square tin of foil.

1927 – Hershey copy writes his Candy Kiss, and the paper plume is added to the top for a show of authenticity.

1925 – Mr. Goodbar candy bar is added

 

1926 – Hershey’s Syrup is created                             

1928 – Hershey’s Chocolate Chips comes to market

1938 – Krackel candy bar is added to the line-up

1956 – H.B. Reese Candy Company was sold to Hershey Chocolate Corp.

1983 – Reese’s Pieces are made for the movie E.T.

Hershey’s Corp continues to grow and is committed to the quality and value of Milton Hershey’s vision for his candy company.

I love a plain ole milk chocolate bar . . . nothing fancy, no almonds or crunchiness, just creamy chocolate.  

Would you tell us in the comments, what your favorite candy is? Could it be a Hershey’s candy or something else? Do you have a favorite way or place to eat your candy? Do you enjoy it all to yourself or share it with a loved one? Let us know . . . and thank you for joining me on Heroes, Heroines, and History.