As a subject matter expert in the history of confectionery, I can provide you with an accurate account of why M&M's were invented.

M&M's were invented during the time of the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s. The inventor, Forrest E. Mars Sr., was inspired by a type of candy he encountered in Spain, which consisted of a chocolate center coated with a hard shell. This shell was designed to protect the chocolate from melting, a significant advantage for soldiers in the field who needed a stable, portable source of energy.

Mars recognized the potential of this concept and, upon returning to the United States, he partnered with Bruce Murrie, who was the president of a chocolate company and had the resources to produce the new candy. The name "M&M" comes from the initials of the last names of the two men, Mars and Murrie.

The candy was initially marketed towards the military, but after the war, it gained popularity among the general public. The resilient nature of M&M's, along with their vibrant colors and the memorable "Melts in your mouth, not in your hands" slogan, contributed to their success.

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M&M's were first introduced commercially in 1941 by Forrest Mars, Sr. Forrest got the idea for the candy after observing soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard shell during the Spanish Civil War. The candy was made with a hard shell so that soldiers could carry the chocolate during warm weather.read more >>