M&M’s
It's from 1941, before you were born.
- Maker
- Mars (Mars Wrigley)
- Type
- Candy-shelled chocolate
- Debuted
- 1941
- Note
- "melts in your mouth, not in your hand"
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About
As of 2026, it's 85 years old.
M&M's exist because someone wanted to eat chocolate during a war without ending up with a fistful of warm brown goop. The candy shell — 'melts in your mouth, not in your hand' — was a genuine logistical breakthrough, designed so soldiers could carry chocolate into battle. War: occasionally good for snack innovation.
Since 1941 they've multiplied into Peanut, a rainbow of shells that has survived public votes and minor culture wars (pour one out for tan; welcome, blue), and a cast of talking 'spokescandy' characters with more interpersonal drama than most sitcoms.
Tiny, crunchy, then melty, M&M's are the default 'pour a fistful straight into your mouth' candy — and the only chocolate it's socially acceptable to sort by color before eating.
M&M’s through the years
First produced
A candy shell lets chocolate travel without melting in your hand.
Peanut M&M's arrive
The famous "melts in your mouth, not in your hand" slogan debuts.
Blue joins the bag
Blue replaces tan after a public vote.
