M&M’s are among the world’s most recognizable candies, but few people know the fascinating story behind their famous two-letter name. Those colorful chocolate treats first appeared in 1941, following a business partnership between two ambitious businessmen. Their names were Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie. Together, they developed an unusual chocolate candy designed to survive hot temperatures without melting in people’s hands. Their invention would eventually become a worldwide sensation, but the inspiration behind it came from somewhere unexpected.

Forrest Mars had noticed something interesting while traveling in Europe. Soldiers were eating small chocolate pieces protected by hard sugary coatings. Intrigued by the idea, he began imagining a similar product for American consumers. However, turning that observation into a successful business required an important partnership, and the person he approached had a powerful connection to America’s chocolate industry. Click continue reading below