Was it luck, a twist of fate, or coincidence? You decide.
Milton Hershey, chocolatier, businessman, and philanthropist, was a wealthy man. Born on a Pennsylvania farm in 1857, Hershey grew up loving sweets. In 1894 he started The Hershey Chocolate Company as a subsidiary of The Lancaster Caramel Company. Six years later in 1900, Milton predicted that the future was in chocolate and sold the caramel company.
He introduced Hershey’s milk chocolate with the goal, according to the company’s website, “to transform a luxury item into an affordable and accessible treat.”
Milton Hershey, 1910, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Milton Hershey School reported that the prosperous confectioner believed every person was “morally obligated to share the fruits of success with others.” True to his values, Milton built Hershey Town, complete with factories, schools, and a tree-lined community for his workers.
Milton’s beloved wife, Kitty, had chronic health problems. The couple spent winters in the warm French Riviera. As spring approached, Milton and Kitty decided it was time to go home. They booked first-class tickets on a brand-new ship called the RMS Titanic, departing in April, 1912.
The Titanic was touted as the largest and most luxurious liner in the world. The Hersheys were excited about their upcoming ocean adventure.
At the last minute, Milton decided that he needed to get home sooner. He cancelled their tickets and booked a quicker crossing on the German steamer, Amerika. Kitty stayed in France.
They were both safe when the ill-fated Titanic sank with over 1,500 people, including John Jacob Astor IV, one of the wealthiest people in the world at the time, Isidor Straus, co-owner of Macy’s, and entrepreneur Benjamin Guggenheim.
Where would one of the world’s beloved candies, the chocolate kiss, have been if Milton and Kitty kept their original plans?
By 1912, Hershey’s Kisses were already being produced. Their story is as intriguing as Milton’s brush with death.
Kisses were copycats.
In 1894, 13 years before kisses, Wilbur’s Buds were introduced. They were tiny chocolates made from a special blend, poured into “flower” molds, and cooled. People loved them.
You can still find Wilbur’s Buds today.
In 1907 Hershey streamlined the process with a machine that automatically dropped kisses on a conveyer belt. At first, Hershey’s Kisses were wrapped by hand. By 1921 he developed a machine that made kisses and wrapped them in foil with a “plume” or paper strip on the top. According to Wikipedia, Hershey “received a registered design trademark for foil wrapped configuration with plume.”
Today few people have heard of Wilbur’s Buds. In contrast, over 70-80 million Hershey’s Kisses are made each day – on machines that run seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
You might call it chocolate karma.
Courtesy of Victorgrigas23, Wikimedia Commons
The Hershey Company evolved. For example, production of the ever-popular kisses was continuous – except during World War 2. Aluminum foil was rationed. The machines were re-purposed to supply military chocolate D ration bars for the soldiers. Over 3 million were produced.
In the 1960s, The Hershey Company was the first to change foils for the holidays. Green, red, and silver were sold on Christmas, red and pink on Valentine’s Day, and red, white, and blue on Independence Day. Today, foils come in many different patterns, colors, and holiday designs.
Flavors advanced as well. Some are seasonal, others limited, and still others in “special editions.” You can find everything from white chocolate and pumpkin spice to strawberry cream, green tea, and caramel apple. Parade reported that there are “Too many to even count.” Katie Greene, in Spoon University, ranked original, hugs, and caramel as top flavors. Hersey Kisses are also certified kosher.
How about you?
Returning to Milton Hershey, his brush with death made him more determined to “share the fruits of success with others.” After 1912, he spent much of his time expanding and improving the town of Hershey, built for his employees. He established the Milton Hershey School, Hershey Theater, and Hershey Park among others.
Today, Milton’s legacy is in his name, his quality kisses, and the famous town. Hershey, Pa is both a town and tourist magnet. Visit and you’ll find HersheyPark, a family amusement park with rollercoasters, water park, resorts, restaurants, Chocolate Town . . . and so much more. You can’t go wrong.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to Kiss Up!
Wow, what an amazing history for the ubiquitous Hershey’s Kiss. Love your article! Thank goodness Mr. Hershey did not get on the Titanic! When I was a kid my grandmother visited Hershey Town and brought back some chocolates for me and my siblings… We thought that was the nearest thing ever! I still think chocolate is the nearest thing ever! Thanks for such a fun article!