A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. McCormack was the first manufacturer to wrap his candy in cellophane. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy: white to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless We do know, however, that Father Gregory Keller did patent a candy can forming machine in 1957, though it was his primary invention. The choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany first bent the sugar-sticks into the shape of canes to represent a shepherd's staff. Thankfully, most candy canes are quite a bit smaller and more comfortable to hang (and to eat!). Oral histories identify the inventor of candy corn as George Renninger, an employee at Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia. candy would do. Most, however, agree the white candy cane made its U.S. debut in 1847 in Wooster Ohio, according to Schildhaus, when August Imgard, a German-Swedish immigrant, decorated a small blue spruce with paper ornaments and candy canes. The Candy Cane. “At the turn of the 20th century, the red stripes—and peppermint flavor—emerged as the most popular choice,” she says. In fact, according to the National Confectioners Association, alwaysatreat.com, candy canes are the No. Candy Cane Invented to Quiet Choirboys? The first documented use of candy canes in the U.S. dates back to 1847, when German-Swedish immigrant August Imgard decorated a blue spruce … Peppermint Candy Legends There are several legends surrounding peppermint candy canes. Who invented the candy cane? Many of them depict the candy cane as a secret symbol for Christianity during a time when Christians were living under more oppressive circumstances. Who invented the candy cane? Candy Cane Facts. In 1927, Eduard Haas, of Vienna, Austria, invented peppermint Pez candy and the original dispenser. It has been claimed that the cane was shaped like a "J" for "Jesus" and that the red-and-white stripes represented Christ's blood and purity. In addition to being a common cold buster, peppermint was simply a popular flavor, particularly in America since the late 1800s. Bob's Candies soon became the number-one candy cane maker, by volume, in the world. It is said that the origin of the candy canes stem back to Cologne, Germany around 1670. In addition to being a common cold buster, peppermint was simply a popular flavor, particularly in America since the late 1800s. The all-white candy canes were then given out to children during the long-winded nativity services. Favorite Answer "Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony." Though no one knows for sure who “invented” the original version of the candy cane or first put it to use, the iconic Christmas item continues its reign of popularity. The first machine to make candy canes was invented in 1921 by Brasher O. Westerfield. A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. Candy Cane History. One of the more promising theories is that the stripes originated with the candy maker Bob McCormack. As for the best way to eat the Yuletide treat: Schildhaus says an NCA survey found that 72 percent of people think that starting on the straight end is the "proper" way to eat a candy cane, while 28 percent start at the curved end. In Indiana, a candy maker wanted to make a candy that could be a reminder of Jesus Christ, so he made the Christmas candy cane. This made it … That changed with the help of his brother-in-law, Gregory Keller, who invented the machine to automate candy cane production. In the 1920's Bob McCormack began making candy canes as special Christmas treats. The laborious process of making candy canes was eliminated in the 1950's when a machine designed especially for the automation of candy cane productions was invented by Gregory Keller … To accommodate the vastly increased manufacturing volume added by Christmas candy canes, more storage space was needed. Bob McCormack's brother-in-law, Gregory Harding Keller, who was a Catholic priest, invented the 'Keller Machine' that made turning straight candy sticks into curved candy canes automatically! At the time, the canes were still white, but sometimes the candy-makers would add sugar-roses to further decorate the canes. More information Candy Cane History. He started off with a stick of pure white hard candy. National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on the 26 th of December in the U.S. “In honor of the occasion, he bent the candies into shepherds’ crooks.”. One theory claims the iconic holiday candy was created in Germany to appease fidgety choirboys. White to symbolize the virgin birth and sinless nature of Jesus. True? He began with a stick of pure white hard candy. The second week of December. Storyteller: "That's right the candy cane also represents a staff with which the Good Shepherd reaches down to the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray" "The candy maker made the cane white to represent Jesus' innocence. A recipe for straight peppermint candy sticks, white with coloured stripes, was published in 1844. 4 Answers. So he made a Christmas Candy Cane. Another popular account claims a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany, as the inventor of the candy cane: No one knows who exactly invented the stripes, but Christmas cards prior to the year 1900 showed only all-white candy canes. A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. In 1882, candy canes were first hung on Christmas trees. Initially, the canes had to bent by hand to make the "J" shape. All the candy canes are Individually wrapped for quality. “So, the choirmaster added a hook, making the stick resemble a staff, a religious reference that would calm the board’s concerns.”, She says the story has some credibility, but “it’s just as likely Germans added the hook to hang them from trees, alongside cookies, fruits and other treats.”. Jesus was perfect. “I’m not sure,” Benjamin says. READ MORE: Christmas Traditions Worldwide. All Rights Reserved. About 50 years later, the first red-and-white-striped candy canes appeared. The three red stripes were also said to symbolize the Holy Trinity and the hardness of the candy represented the Church's foundation on solid rock. In the 1920's Bob McCormack began making candy canes as special Christmas treats. Invented in 1859, these straight candy sticks were originally peppermint flavored with red and white stripes. The truth is that no one really knows who invented the modern candy cane. READ MORE: Meet Krampus: The Christmas Devil Who Punishes Naughty Children, Benjamin also cites the theory that a German choirmaster gave candy sticks to still his fidgety choirboys during services. Perfect holiday treat to share with family and friends. Here is a look at some other unusual and mysterious Christmas inventions. Favorite Answer "Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the long Living Creche ceremony." Still other theories contend the candy cane’s “J” shape is an homage to Jesus, but Benjamin says that’s an urban legend. The red and white striped candy canes were first made around 1900. Relevance. 1-selling non-chocolate candy during the month of December, with 90 percent of the red and white striped treats sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. No one knows who exactly invented the stripes, but based on historical Christmas cards, we know that no striped candy canes appeared prior to the year 1900. Meet Krampus: The Christmas Devil Who Punishes Naughty Children. Today there are dozens of colors and shapes, and the candy isn’t associated with Christmas. Candy canes are a classic symbol of Christmas, but few people know the origins of the candy and how it became a cherished part of … In 1919, a candymaker named Bob McCormack began making candy canes. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! The following video provides a short history of the most popular Christmas treat, the candy cane. The History of. In 1921, Brasher O. Westerfield invented a machine that could automatically make candy canes. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy. (It was a gentler form of enticement than “whacking them with a switch,” she says. FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. Benjamin attributes the red and white stripes to good marketing. 1 decade ago. It had to be special to be a gift for the. You will receive 3 Candy Cane; red & White Peppermint, Green, Red & White Peppermint and Rainbow Cherry candy cane. Keller’s machine automated this process and shortly thereafter was perfected by Dick Driskell and Jimmy Spratling, both of which worked for Bob McCormack. The red and white striped candy canes were first made around 1900. Illustrations of striped candy canes didn't even show up until the beginning of the 20th century. As for the candy cane's peppermint flavor, it represented the use of hyssop, an herb referred to in the Old Testament. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. There are many other legends and religious beliefs surrounding the humble candy cane. It had to be hard candy. The biggest single week for candy canes? Susan Benjamin, founder of True Treats Historic Candy, truetreatscandy.com, and author of Sweet as Sin: The Unwrapped Story of How Candy Became America’s Pleasure, agrees the candy cane most likely took shape in 17th century Europe when pulled sugars, the parent to today’s sugar sticks, were all the rage. Or course, today, there’s nothing more iconic when it comes to candy than the alternating red and white stripes of the candy cane, but, according to Schildhaus, for 200 years, before mass-production was automated, they came in just one color: white. In 2005, Bob's Candies was bought by Farley and Sathers but they still make candy canes! And by the middle of the century, his company, Bob's Candies, became widely famous for their candy canes. In the 1950's the first candy cane machine was introduced by Gregory Keller that aided in manufacturing and mass producing the candy canes. Traditionally the flavor for candy canes is peppermint, but there are a variety of flavors. Candy cane production was estimated to be twenty-five million pieces a year. 17,507 ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, Popular Products That Originated From Christmas, Christmas Writing Paper With Decorative Borders, How Christmas Trees Became a Popular Tradition, The Myth About Obama and the Holiday Tree, History of Electric Christmas Tree Lights. In 1919, a candymaker named Bob McCormack began making candy canes. Around that time, candy-makers began adding peppermint and wintergreen flavors to their candy canes and those flavors would soon become accepted as the traditional favorites. The clergymen's custom of handing out candy canes during Christmas services would eventually spread throughout Europe and later to America. Not just any piece of. maker from Indiana. (Sorry for the mistakes, I'm not an English native, but if someone wants to help me I agree with XD) Candice Wulf was a little German girl born in the '40s, who suffered a lot of hunger and the destitution after the second World War. The trees were often decorated using foods such as cookies and sometimes sugar-stick candies. A candy maker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. Almost everyone alive grew up familiar with the hard red-and-white candy with the curved end known as a candy cane, but few people realize just how long this popular treat has been in existence. About fifty years later the first red-and-white striped candy canes appeared. Answer Save. A candy cane this size could easily topple even the most massive Christmas trees. And by the middle of the century, his company, Bob's Candies, became widely famous for their candy canes. Cliff. Over 1.7 billion candy canes are made each year around the world. Who Invented Candy Canes? Before this each cane was made by hand. However, we do know that a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany (his name is unknown) was the first to ‘bend’ the candy into the shape … Relevance. The "candy cane" is found in literature in 1866, though no description of color or flavor was provided. “Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during the Living Creche ceremony,” Schildhaus says. A 1920s Christmas card featuring Santa Claus and a reindeer licking a candy cane. No matter where and how candy canes came into existence, I’m so glad they did! But with at least a 20-percent breakage rate, candy cane-making proved to be sticky business. Mary Bellis covered inventions and inventors for ThoughtCo for 18 years. Alain Roby, Geneva pastry chef, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest candy cane, measuring 51 feet long. The original Christmas tree candy was a straight stick and completely white in color. But just in … Bobs Candies, an Albany company founded by Bob McCormack in 1919, is the largest manufacturer of striped candy in the world. In the 1950's the first candy cane machine was introduced by Gregory Keller that aided in manufacturing and mass producing the candy canes. Until then, they were made by hand. “Likely because most people decorate their Christmas trees that week,” says Carly Schildhaus, public affairs manager for the NCA. Also great for decoration, like decorating you Christmas tree. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. But just when and how candy canes got their start is a bit more uncertain than their popularity (1.76 billion candy canes are produced in the United States annually). THE STRIPES. However, no historical evidence exists to support these claims, although some will find them pleasant to contemplate. In 1882, candy canes were first hung on Christmas trees. In the beginning the red and white candy canes were made by hand and producing them were labor intensive. “Legend has it that the candy cane dates back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany handed out … It was at that time, somewhere in Germany, that a hook was added to the stick, she says. In the 1950s, McCormack's brother-in-law, Father Gregory Keller, invented a machine to twist the candy and bend it into a cane. Candy canes are arguably the most iconic holiday treat, even if people typically do a lot more decorating with them than they do eating them. 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