M&Ms, the colorful, button-shaped chocolates encased in a thin candy shell, are not only famous for their taste but also have an interesting history behind their name. The candy, first introduced in 1941, owes its name to a partnership between two key figures: Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie. Each "M" in "M&M" stands for the first letter of each of their last names, respectively.
Forrest Mars, the son of the founder of the Mars Company, was inspired by a method of sugar-coating chocolates that he observed during the Spanish Civil War. He saw soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard shell that prevented the chocolates from melting. Seeing potential in this idea, Mars got back to the United States and reached out to Bruce Murrie, the son of Hershey Chocolate’s president. This was a strategic move because, at the time, Mars did not have access to a sufficient supply of chocolate.
The partnership between Mars and Murrie was essential, especially during the wartime economy when rationing was a common practice. Hershey had control over a large surplus of rationed chocolate, and Bruce Murrie’s involvement provided Mars with access to the chocolate needed to produce the candies. The deal was set with a 20-80 partnership, with Murrie having a larger share.
The candies were first sold to the military and proved to be a hit among soldiers because they could carry and eat them without mess, thanks to their hard-outer shell which kept the chocolate from melting easily. Their success with the military helped to establish M&Ms as a popular candy in American households post-World War II.
Over the years, M&Ms have become one of the most recognized and beloved candies around the world, available in a variety of types and flavors, far beyond the original milk chocolate formulation. The simple yet ingenious naming of M&Ms is a reflection of a business partnership that leveraged mutual strengths during challenging times, leading to the creation of a product that brought, and continues to bring, a little bit of sweetness to people's lives.
