Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1538838
Baby Ruth (1921) Packed with peanuts, caramel, and nougat, the Baby Ruth has been a stick-to-your-teeth standout for more than 100 years. While it's often associated with baseball legend Babe Ruth, it was actually named—according to the company—after President Grover Cleveland's daughter, Ruth. In 1921, the Curtiss Candy Company rebranded its struggling "Kandy Kake" bar as the Baby Ruth to revive sales. The marketing was as bold as the flavor: chocolate bars dropped from airplanes to generate buzz. A century later, Baby Ruth still knocks it out of the park with candy lovers of all ages. Bit-O-Honey (1924) Bit-O-Honey is a chip off the old block for those who prefer sweets with a subtle, nutty twist. This honey-flavored toffee is studded with almond bits, fueling sugar rushes since its debut in 1924. Produced by the Schutter-Johnson Company, its melt-in-your-mouth texture and mellow sweetness made it a lunchbox regular. Though it's passed through the hands of countless candy titans over the decades, Bit-O-Honey's distinctive yellow wrapper and light flavor have earned it a loyal following and a lasting place in the United States' candy legacy. Bazooka Bubble Gum (1947) For kids raised after WWII, Bazooka Bubble Gum was more than a treat; it was an adventure they could carry in their pockets. Launched in 1947 by The Topps Company, Bazooka stood out for its red, white, and blue packaging and the comic strip printed inside every wrapper. Each piece of candy was another installment in the stunts, antics, and escapades of the eyepatch-wearing Bazooka Joe and his ragtag gang of friends. The gum was notoriously tough to chew, but delivered big bubbles once softened. With its iconic flavor, patriotic branding, and affinity for the adventurous spirit, Bazooka quickly became a celebrated American treat. Everlasting Gobstoppers (1976) Inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and immortalized in the film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Everlasting Gobstoppers brought the magic of fantasy to life. Introduced by Breaker Confections in 1976, these mini jawbreakers were made to last and last (hence the name!), changing colors and flavors in each layer. Despite the movie initially flopping at the box office, Gobstoppers eventually transformed into a candy-coated cult favorite, with psychedelic hues and playful designs symbolically channeling a generation raised on imagination, wonder, and whimsey. COMING HOME MAGAZINE 33