20 Century-Old Snacks You Didn’t Realize Are Still Around Today
Still Kicking, Still Delicious
When you head down the grocery store snack aisle, it's easy to assume that your favorite treats are relatively modern creations designed for contemporary tastes. The reality is that many of the most popular items in your pantry have been fueling snack attacks since the days of black-and-white television and horse-drawn carriages. These enduring culinary icons have managed to survive changing health trends, economic shifts, and endless competition from new brands.
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1. Cracker Jack
Popular ballpark food Cracker Jack was first introduced as a molasses-flavored popcorn peanut mix at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. The Cracker Jack song was first sung three years later at a baseball game. Unbeknownst to many generations of youngsters, someone actually still searches for the prize at the bottom of every box.
2. Fig Newtons
Fig Newtons originated in 1891 when an ambitious baker based in Massachusetts began crafting the delicious pastries. Named after a neighboring town called Newton, each fig cake was made using advanced machinery that piped both the fig jam and wrapper at the same time.
3. Oreo Cookies
The National Biscuit Company first introduced this iconic creme-filled chocolate sandwich cookie to the public in 1912 at a bakery in New York City. Many people have spent their whole lives arguing over the correct way to eat them. Whether you prefer twisting the layers apart or dunking them whole into a glass of cold milk.
4. Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar
In 1900, Milton Hershey invented his streamlined process for affordable milk chocolate bars that would end up dominating sweet shops nationwide. Prior to his invention, only the very rich could afford to eat smooth chocolate on any kind of regular basis.
5. Triscuit Crackers
These shredded wheat squares were born in 1903 and originally marketed as a modern miracle of electricity because the factory used early electric ovens to bake them. Manufacturers initially promoted them as a versatile health food that consumers could enjoy with virtually any savory topping.
6. Barnum's Animals Crackers
Originally designed with a small string attached for hanging on Christmas trees in 1902, kids have been naming the tiny creatures before devouring them ever since. While the brand has since repositioned the animals outside of their cages on the packaging, the mildly sweet flavor has remained unchanged over time.
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7. Tootsie Roll
An Austrian immigrant launched this chewy chocolate treat in 1896 and named it after his young daughter's affectionate nickname. It gained massive popularity because it did not melt easily during the hot summer months, making it a reliable option before widespread refrigeration existed.
8. Life Savers
A candy maker created the original peppermint flavor in 1912 as a summer alternative to chocolate treats that easily turned to mush in the heat. A clever manufacturing decision to punch a hole in the center gave the hard candy its distinct nautical name. Stashing a roll of these in your pocket provides a quick burst of freshness.
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9. Milky Way Bar
Milky Way bars were invented by Frank Mars in 1923 when he attempted to replicate his favorite malted milk drink in bar form. Competing bars only offered a small portion in comparison to the generous rectangle. The overwhelming response to the treat led to one of the biggest candy companies in the world today.
10. Butterfinger
In 1923, the Curtiss Candy Company actually sponsored a contest to name Butterfinger. It was not uncommon to see them parachuting into cities from airplanes to draw public attention, either. While the recipe may have been tweaked under newer company owners, you can still buy them for that satisfying crunchy taste.
11. Cheez-It Crackers
An Ohio-based baking company created the very first Cheez-Its in 1921. Cheez-Its are known for their orange color and sharp cheese flavor because real cheese is used as an ingredient. Opening a box today gives you the exact same salty satisfaction.
12. MoonPie
The Chattanooga Bakery created this marshmallow and graham cracker treat in 1917 specifically for local coal miners who wanted a filling snack. It quickly became part of a traditional Southern blue-collar lunch when paired with a cold bottle of soda. Finding them on shelves today offers a comforting classic taste.
13. Juicy Fruit Gum
William Wrigley Jr. introduced this intensely sweet, fruit-flavored chewing gum to the American market in 1893, just a few months before launching his famous spearmint flavor. The mysterious blend of flavors has kept people guessing about the exact ingredients. You can still easily grab a pack at the grocery store whenever you want a familiar wave of childhood nostalgia.
14. Oh Henry! Bar
A Chicago candy company introduced this hefty combination of fudge, peanuts, and caramel wrapped in milk chocolate in 1920. Legend has it that the name honors a frequent male visitor who constantly flirted with the women working in the factory kitchen. It remains a beloved staple.
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15. Baby Ruth
This log-shaped candy bar arrived on the scene in 1921 and immediately sparked a major public debate regarding the true inspiration behind its name. While many people assumed it honored the legendary baseball star Babe Ruth, the company claimed it actually recognized President Grover Cleveland's daughter. Regardless of the marketing origins, it is delicious.
16. Nilla Wafers
Originally sold simply as Vanilla Wafers starting in 1898, these crisp, round cookies are the ultimate secret weapon for creating traditional banana pudding. Nabisco eventually shortened the name in the late twentieth century, but the actual baking recipe did not change much. Grabbing a handful out of the box delivers a delightfully simple sweetness.
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17. Popsicle
An eleven-year-old boy accidentally invented this frozen treat in 1905 when he left a cup of soda water and a stirring stick out on his porch during an unusually chilly California night. He patented the idea years later, and it quickly became the definitive summer refreshment for kids everywhere. You can still purchase them in a wide variety of flavors.
18. Bit-O-Honey
Bit-O-Honey, the chewy almond honey candy that nobody can eat just one of, first arrived on shelves in 1924. Eating just one piece takes great effort and jaw strength. It has quietly maintained a loyal fan base through generations of changing confectionery trends.
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19. Charleston Chew
Named after the notorious dance made popular by flappers and couples everywhere, the Charleston Chew was first produced and sold to the public in 1925. While there are three flavors, many chew enthusiasts swear by freezing the candy bar and then breaking it into chunks.
20. York Peppermint Pattie
This thin disk of minty freshness covered in dark chocolate was invented in 1920 in Pennsylvania. Not only did the manufacturers want the wrapper to be tight enough to preserve freshness, but they also wanted the candy to snap when it was broken in half. Even today, when you take a bite, you will feel your mouth refreshed.
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