Buzz
A Halloween candy collection feels incomplete without them. Created in 1896 by a Brooklyn-based culinary innovator, Tootsie Rolls have grown into one of the most widely recognized confections globally, with millions made daily. Dive into some intriguing facts about this iconic brand.
1. THE CANDY BEARS THE NAME OF ITS CREATOR'S DAUGHTER.
WackyStuff, Flickr // CC BY-SA 2.0
According to the official account, Leo Hirschfield, the creator of Tootsie Rolls, initially sold them from his Brooklyn candy store before transferring his invention to the candy company Stern & Saalberg Co. and joining their team. However, evidence suggests the candy store tale might be more of a myth, as Hirschfield may have been a Stern & Saalberg employee from the start. Regardless, Hirschfield named his individually wrapped candies after his young daughter Clara, affectionately called “Tootsie.”
2. HIRSCHFIELD ALSO CREATED A PRECURSOR TO JELL-O.
Boston Public Library // CC BY 2.0
Hirschfield is also recognized for developing Bromangelon, the first gelatin dessert to achieve commercial success. Sold in powdered form for about 10 cents per box, it came in flavors such as raspberry, cherry, and orange.
3. TOOTSIE ROLLS WERE A STAPLE IN EVERY WORLD WAR II SOLDIER’S RATION KIT.
The U.S. military prized them as a source of instant energy, thanks to their ability to withstand heat and remain fresh over extended periods. In one remarkable case, they even saved a life: A pilot stranded in the Sahara after his plane was shot down survived for three days by eating Tootsie Rolls.
4. THE BELOVED TOOTSIE POP ‘SHOOTING STAR’ PROMOTION IS A LEGEND.
Christine Warner Hawks, Flickr // CC BY 2.0
Soon after the Tootsie Pop debuted in 1931, a myth emerged that wrappers depicting an Indian shooting an arrow at a star could be exchanged for a free Tootsie Pop. Some stores reportedly honored this, allowing the idea to linger for years, even though Tootsie Roll Industries never officially endorsed it. The company, noting that about one in five wrappers features the design, has debunked the rumor and even created the “Legend of the Indian Wrapper” to amuse customers. Despite this, they still receive weekly requests from people seeking free Tootsie Pops.
5. THEY PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN A DARING ESCAPE DURING THE KOREAN WAR.
In 1950, during the intense battle at the Chosin Reservoir, the 15,000-strong First Marine Division requested an airdrop of “Tootsie Rolls”—their code name for mortar shells. Instead, they received actual Tootsie Rolls. Surprisingly, the candy lifted spirits and provided energy in the freezing conditions. Additionally, soldiers found that softened Tootsie Rolls could seal cracks in their vehicles’ fuel lines, enabling the division to escape their precarious position.
6. FRANK SINATRA’S GO-TO SWEET TREAT WAS TOOTSIE ROLLS.
As noted by celebrity historian Alan Petrucelli, the legendary singer is buried with Tootsie Rolls, alongside other personal items like cigarettes, a lighter, and a bottle of Jack Daniels.
7. THE COMPANY’S CURRENT PRESIDENT APPEARED IN A 1950 ADVERTISEMENT.
Ellen Gordon, 83, who currently leads the company following her husband Melvin’s passing earlier this year, starred in a Life magazine ad at age 18. Her father, William Rubin, was the company’s CEO at the time.
8. A COMIC STRIP FEATURED CAPTAIN TOOTSIE.
Tom Simpson, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Among the more peculiar superheroes in American comics, Captain Tootsie was a muscular, blonde hero who embarked on bizarre adventures with children, such as fighting bears and defeating cavemen who robbed banks, all while carrying a yellow satchel filled with Tootsie Rolls. Launched in 1943, the comic strip appeared in newspapers and as standalone issues for almost 10 years.
9. SCIENTISTS MIGHT HAVE SOLVED THE AGE-OLD QUESTION: HOW MANY LICKS?
The famous Tootsie Roll Industries ad from 1970 posed the question, “How many licks does it take to reach the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?” While fans have long speculated, often guessing in the hundreds, researchers at Purdue University and the University of Michigan took a scientific approach. Using machines designed to mimic human tongues, the teams conducted experiments. Purdue’s result was 364 licks, while Michigan’s was 411. The true number may lie somewhere in between, but the mystery remains unsolved.
10. DAILY PRODUCTION OF TOOTSIE ROLLS REACHES 64 MILLION.
Brave Heart, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
This translates to over 44,440 rolls every minute, or approximately 740 each second.
11. THE COMPANY BOASTS A DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF CANDY BRANDS.
Starting in 1962 under Melvin Gordon’s direction, Tootsie Roll Industries acquired numerous competitors, including Dots, Crows, Charms, Sugar Daddy, Junior Mints, and Charleston Chew. In 2000, they added Andes Mints to their lineup, and in 2004, they purchased Concord Confections, the creators of Dubble Bubble.
12. RECENT SALES TRENDS HAVE BEEN FAR FROM ENCOURAGING.
Tom Simpson, Flickr // CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
While Tootsie Roll Industries experienced significant growth during much of Gordon’s leadership, recent years have seen a decline in sales as the candy market has shifted. The company’s traditional approach has left many investors and analysts questioning how long it can sustain itself before considering a sale.
