The Creation of M&M

M&M, The Mars, Murrie Story

M&M’s, the iconic brand of colorful chocolate candies, is synonymous with many things: vibrant mascots, catchy slogans, and even themed retail shops. However, the most fascinating aspect of M&M’s is often overlooked: the story of its creation and the people behind it.

M&M is thought of as a product of Mars the chocolate giant, but the name is infact Mars and Murrie, okay Mars, so the Owner of the company, well no, Frank Mars the founder of Mars was initially a failed entrepreneur, later in the state of Minnesota, he tried again and stuck gold, read further

Contrary to popular belief, M&M’s is not solely a product of Mars, the chocolate giant. The name “M&M” actually stands for “Mars & Murrie,” representing a collaboration between two confectionery dynasties. The story begins with Frank C. Mars, the founder of Mars, Incorporated. Initially struggling as an entrepreneur, Frank experienced several setbacks before finding success. During this time, Frank’s son, Forrest Mars Sr., was having a tumultuous relationship with his father. After reconciling, Forrest joined the family business and worked alongside his father, contributing to the company’s growth. However, it was Forrest who would later play a crucial role in the creation of M&M’s.

In 1911, he started making and selling butter cream candies from his kitchen in Tacoma, Washington. However, it wasn’t until 1920, when he moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, that his fortunes truly changed. There, he created the Milky Way bar in 1923, which became an instant success and laid the foundation for the Mars company.

Rise and Success

In the 1930s, Forrest Mars Sr. had a falling out with his father and moved to England. It was during the Spanish Civil War that he observed soldiers eating small chocolate pellets coated with a hard sugar shell, which prevented the chocolate from melting. This observation inspired him to create a similar product.

Returning to the United States in 1939, Forrest sought to put his idea into action. He approached Bruce Murrie, son of Hershey’s Chocolate president William Murrie, with a proposition. Forrest needed a reliable source of chocolate, especially during wartime rationing, and Hershey’s had control over the rationed chocolate. Bruce Murrie agreed to join forces, providing both the chocolate and the necessary connections.

Forrest Mars, The son of the founder of Mars, Wikimedia

Bruce Murrie, born in 1907, grew up in the world of chocolate, learning the ins and outs of the industry from his father, William Murrie, who had joined Hershey’s in 1896 and eventually became its president. Bruce had a degree in industrial engineering from Cornell University and had worked at Hershey’s since 1925. This gave him valuable experience in chocolate production and business operations. His background made him an ideal partner for Forrest Mars, as he brought not only access to Hershey’s chocolate but also technical expertise and industry knowledge to the venture.

Another thing that made this match near perfect was the passion. They both were in the shadows of popular chocolate giants, and both of them disapproved of the way their parents had run the business. This similarity plus the most than ideal need that they shared towards each other, and the freedom they gained after their fathers were no longer in charge, helped them to join hands and create a chocolate that has changed history.

Hershey’s Factory, Wikimedia

Aftermath

The partnership between Mars and Murrie led to the creation of M&M’s, with production beginning in 1941 in Newark, New Jersey. The candies quickly gained popularity, especially among U.S. soldiers during World War II, as they could carry the chocolate without it melting. This slogan, “does not melt in your hands” is one of the longest running slogans for any company. Showing the universality and timelessness of the chocolate’s main purpose.

In 1949, Forrest Mars bought out Bruce Murrie’s 20% stake in the company, ending their partnership but retaining the M&M name. From there, M&M’s continued to grow in popularity, becoming one of the most recognized candy brands worldwide.

After the buyout, Bruce Murrie returned to Hershey’s, where he continued to work until his retirement. Although his direct involvement with M&M’s was relatively short-lived, his contribution to the brand was significant. The Murrie family’s legacy in the chocolate industry extended beyond Bruce, as his brother, William Murrie Jr., also held various positions at Hershey’s, further cementing the Murrie name in confectionery history.

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