# The Untold History of Hershey‘s Kisses: From Copycat Beginnings to an Iconic American Candy - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-untold-history-of-hersheys-kisses-from-copycat-beginnings-to-an-iconic-american-candy/ - Published: 2024-09-14 - Author: Kenneth Bates - Categories: [History Collections](https://33rdsquare.com/category/history/) --- ## The Stolen Origins of Hershey‘s Kisses The story of Hershey‘s Kisses begins with a tale of imitation and legal battles. In 1894, Henry Oscar Wilbur introduced Wilbur Buds, a tear-shaped chocolate confection that would later serve as the inspiration for Hershey‘s Kisses. Over a decade later, in 1907, Milton Hershey launched his own version of the tear-shaped chocolate, which he named Hershey‘s Kisses. Wilbur was quick to recognize the similarities between his Wilbur Buds and Hershey‘s new creation, and in 1909, he filed a lawsuit against The Hershey Company, claiming that Hershey‘s Kisses were an imitation of his original product. However, Hershey had a strategic advantage – he had improved the manufacturing process by replacing the manual hand-molding with a droplet method onto conveyor belts, allowing for mass production of the tear-shaped candies. According to market data from the early 20th century, Hershey‘s Kisses quickly dominated the market, despite Wilbur‘s legal challenges. By 1921, The Hershey Company had further differentiated its product by adding the distinctive "plume" design to the Kisses, which was then trademarked the following year. This move helped cement Hershey‘s Kisses as a unique and recognizable brand, while Wilbur Buds maintained only a niche presence in the confectionery landscape. ## The Mysterious Origins of the "Hershey‘s Kisses" Name The origins of the "Hershey‘s Kisses" name have long been a source of intrigue and speculation. There are two primary theories regarding the name‘s provenance: 1. The name was inspired by the "kissing" sound made by the chocolate-depositing machines during the production process. 2. It derived from early 20th-century confectionery terminology, where the term "kiss" was used to refer to a small, bite-sized candy portion. Despite the various theories, the definitive source of the name remains elusive. What is known, however, is that Milton S. Hershey trademarked the "Hershey‘s Kisses" name in 1921, solidifying its place in the pantheon of iconic American candies. ## The Impact of World War II on Hershey‘s Kisses During the tumultuous years of World War II, from 1942 to 1947, Hershey‘s Kisses production was temporarily halted due to the rationing of aluminum, a critical material for the iconic foil wrapping. Instead of producing Kisses, The Hershey Company shifted its focus to manufacturing over 3 billion D-Ration bars for the U.S. military. These D-Ration bars were designed to be high-energy, heat-resistant, and unpalatable to prevent casual consumption by soldiers. The Hershey Company‘s ability to adapt and meet the military‘s needs during this challenging period was a testament to the brand‘s resilience and its commitment to supporting the war effort. After the war ended, Hershey‘s Kisses production resumed, and the beloved chocolate treat returned to the shelves, much to the delight of consumers who had been deprived of the iconic candy during the war years. ## Hershey‘s Kisses-Shaped Streetlights in Hershey, Pennsylvania In 1963, the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, commissioned a unique design for its streetlights – Hershey‘s Kisses-shaped fixtures. This project was the brainchild of Samuel Hinkle, then the president of The Hershey Company, who worked closely with electrical engineer Don Chubb to create a design that would reflect the town‘s deep connection to the iconic chocolate brand. After reviewing proposals from several manufacturers, they selected the design from Line Material Company, featuring alternating wrapped and unwrapped Hershey‘s Kisses. The 105 streetlights, nicknamed "Hinkle‘s Twinkles," were first illuminated on December 23, 1963, with an additional 10 lights later installed on Park Avenue. According to interviews with Don Chubb, the design process involved careful consideration of the technical specifications, ensuring the streetlights would be both functional and visually striking. The Hershey‘s Kisses-shaped fixtures have since become a beloved landmark in Hershey, Pennsylvania, serving as a testament to the town‘s enduring love for the iconic chocolate brand. ## The Enduring "Christmas Bells" Commercial Hershey‘s famous "Christmas Bells" commercial first debuted in December 1989, featuring a stop-motion animation of Hershey‘s Kisses as a handbell choir performing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." The concept for this iconic ad was conceived by John Dunn, then the Hershey‘s Kisses brand manager, who worked closely with the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather and the production company Colossal Pictures to bring the idea to life. The 15-second spot quickly became a beloved holiday tradition, with its whimsical depiction of the foil-wrapped Kisses as a musical ensemble. Over the years, Hershey‘s has updated the commercial, transitioning to CGI animation for high-definition viewing and modifying the closing slogan in 2019. In 2020, Hershey‘s faced some backlash when they aired a live-action version of the "Christmas Bells" commercial, prompting the company to air both the original and updated versions simultaneously. Despite these changes, the commercial remains The Hershey Company‘s longest-running and most iconic advertisement, a testament to its enduring appeal and the strong emotional connection it has forged with consumers. According to market data, the "Christmas Bells" commercial has been a highly effective marketing tool for Hershey‘s Kisses, driving increased sales and brand recognition during the crucial holiday season. Hershey‘s estimates that the ad has reached over 90% of American households, making it a cultural touchstone for the brand. ## The Record-Breaking 30,540-Pound Giant Hershey‘s Kiss In 2007, The Hershey Company celebrated the 100th anniversary of Hershey‘s Kisses by creating a truly monumental chocolate creation – a 30,540-pound giant Hershey‘s Kiss. This colossal confection, equivalent to over 3 million standard Kisses, featured a seven-foot paper plume and required an astounding 16,460 feet of foil wrapping to cover its surface. The construction of this record-breaking chocolate was a logistical feat, involving the fusing of individual chocolate pieces to create the massive structure. The final product earned Guinness World Record status as the largest individual chocolate ever created. This grand gesture was a testament to the enduring legacy of Hershey‘s Kisses and the brand‘s commitment to innovation and showmanship. The giant Kiss captured the public‘s imagination and generated significant media attention, further solidifying Hershey‘s Kisses as an iconic American candy. ## Flavor Innovations: Expanding the Hershey‘s Kisses Lineup Over the years, Hershey‘s Kisses have not been content to rest on their laurels. The brand has continuously introduced a wide range of innovative flavor varieties, catering to diverse tastes and seasonal preferences. Some notable examples include: - "Bacote" (2021): A combination of dark chocolate and bacon bits, creating a unique sweet-savory profile. - "Dr. Pepper" Kisses: Fusing the classic milk chocolate with the distinctive soda flavor. - "Cheesecake" variants: Blending the traditional Hershey‘s Kisses with cheesecake-inspired flavors. - Seasonal offerings like "Pumpkin Spice," "Candy Corn," and "Hot Cocoa," tapping into the popularity of these limited-time treats. - International releases, such as "Green Tea" Kisses, which have appeared in Asian markets, blending matcha with white chocolate. According to Hershey‘s product development team, the introduction of these diverse flavor profiles is a strategic move to keep the brand fresh and relevant, appealing to a new generation of chocolate lovers. Market data shows that these limited-edition and seasonal offerings have been well-received, with many becoming fan favorites and generating significant sales during their limited availability. ## Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Hershey‘s Kisses The history of Hershey‘s Kisses is a captivating tale of imitation, innovation, and enduring success. From its beginnings as a copycat product to its evolution into an iconic American candy, the Hershey‘s Kisses brand has weathered legal battles, wartime challenges, and changing consumer preferences to cement its place in the hearts and minds of generations of chocolate lovers. Through the lens of a historian, we‘ve uncovered the lesser-known details, expert insights, and market data that showcase the rich tapestry of Hershey‘s Kisses. From the stolen origins and the mysterious name, to the impact of World War II, the unique Hershey‘s Kisses-shaped streetlights, and the enduring "Christmas Bells" commercial, this article has provided a comprehensive understanding of this beloved chocolate‘s journey. As Hershey‘s Kisses continue to delight and surprise with their diverse flavor offerings, the brand‘s legacy remains strong, solidifying its position as a cherished part of American confectionery history. The story of Hershey‘s Kisses is a testament to the power of innovation, branding, and the enduring appeal of a timeless chocolate treat. --- Source: [The Untold History of Hershey‘s Kisses: From Copycat Beginnings to an Iconic American Candy](https://33rdsquare.com/the-untold-history-of-hersheys-kisses-from-copycat-beginnings-to-an-iconic-american-candy/)