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The colorful, candy-coated chocolates known as M&M's have a surprisingly strategic origin story rooted in wartime innovation. The idea for a chocolate that wouldn't melt in warm conditions struck Forrest Mars Sr. during the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930s. He observed soldiers eating chocolate pellets encased in a hard sugar shell, a practical solution that kept the chocolate from melting in their hands in hot climates. This observation sparked the concept for what would become one of the world's most popular candies.
Upon returning to the United States, Mars sought to develop his own version of this melt-resistant treat. To do so, he formed a crucial partnership with Bruce Murrie in 1941. Bruce Murrie was the son of William Murrie, the president of the Hershey Chocolate Company. This alliance was vital because, during World War II, chocolate and sugar were rationed, and Hershey had a secure supply. The collaboration provided Forrest Mars with the necessary chocolate, sugar, and technology to produce his innovative candy. The name M&M's itself is a direct nod to this foundational partnership, representing the surnames Mars and Murrie.
The ingenious design of the candy, with its hard candy shell, immediately made M&M's a hit, particularly with the U.S. Armed Forces. They were included in soldiers' C-Rations, offering a portable and mess-free chocolate treat that could withstand various temperatures. This early, exclusive distribution to the military helped establish the candy's popularity. Although Bruce Murrie eventually sold his 20% stake to Forrest Mars, either in 1948 or 1949, the iconic name, symbolizing their initial collaboration, remained. The promise that the candy "melts in your mouth, not in your hand" became a famous trademarked slogan in 1954, perfectly encapsulating the candy's unique advantage.