Candy of Yesteryear

Oh Sweet Candy. How we've loved you over the years. Some old, some still around, some gone but they always stay in our hearts. Memories from an almost forgotten childhood, these candies are brought back to light for your viewing pleasure. The list is in no particular order and the candy choices were completely up to the author's discretion.

The Candies

1.

Waxed Lips

Oh those over-sized red lips! Other designs include the wax fangs, moustaches, and lips with protruding buck teeth. As a kid, flavored wax was a double bonus. Not only were you allowed to eat these jumbo-sized kissers, they actually tasted good, albeit for a brief period. We weren't so lucky with mom's candles.

Produced by Tootsie Roll Industries.

2.

Waxed Soda Bottles

Continuing on with the wax motif, these little juice filled bottles had us sucking our brains out trying to get that last drop of sweet nectar. It really didn’t matter, we ate those as well. When wax was part of the food groups...cheers!

Produced by Tootsie Roll Industries.

3.

Candy Necklaces

Fashion never tasted so sweet. Hard candy fitted on an elastic band. The original “bling” for kids. Even the rainbow mark around your neck never stopped you from licking this necktie of goodness.

Various Producers.

4.

Candy cigarettes

Nothing like getting them started early. These controversial concoctions have actually been banned in several countries (US is not one of them) and are still being manufactured today but under the name of “candy sticks”. Hmm, I wonder if kids today still bring home clay ashtrays from art in school.

Various Producers.

5.

Necco Waffers

The old Necco Wafers. Started back in 1912 and still being produced today. With eight different flavors of wafers to pick from, it was difficult to decide on eating them or drawing on the sidewalk with them. I preferred the latter.

Produced by Necco Inc.

6.

Pop Rocks

The candy that when mixed with cola became a killer, or so according to urban legend. A carbonated candy made from sugar, lactose, corn syrup, and flavoring that had kid's mouths “snapping, crackling, and popping”. Poor little Mikey...how we miss him dearly.

Produced by Kraft Foods.

8.

Chick-O-Stick

Made from peanut butter, sugar, and coconut, one wonders why the name “Chick-O-Stick”. Is this candy or is it a chicken flavored cracker? The original wrapper did feature a cartoon chicken in a cowboy hat. Colonel Sanders was their second choice.

Produced by Atkinson Candy Company.

9.

Circus Peanuts

A mad scientist creation from peanut, marsh mellow, banana, and an orange. Labeled as “soft and chewy”, I could never tell when these things went stale. Interesting fact is that they lead to the creation of Lucky Charms cereal... Those kids are always after me lucky, huge peanuts!

Various Producers.

10.

Whirly Pops

Made since 1932 and up to 6.5 inches in width, these colossal candies could send the strongest kid into an insulin induced coma. All I remember is my sister’s new haircut after falling asleep on one. Don’t worry sis, the jar-head look is in!

Produced by Adams & Brooks.