Dum Dums: History, Flavors & Trivia
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Snack History Nostalgia Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When you think of lollipops, one of the first brands that probably comes to your mind are Dum Dums. The Dum Dum lollipop is one of the oldest brands and most popular lollipops that are still in production today.
Let’s dig into the history of Dum Dums. Going from their creation in 1924 to being sold to their current owners, the Spangler Candy Company.
| Dum Dums | Facts |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1924 |
| Manufacturer | Spangler Candy Company (since 1953) |
| Candy Type | Hard candy lollipop |
| Original Flavors | Butterscotch, Cherry, Coconut-Pineapple, Grape, Lemon, Lime, Orange |
| Still Available | Yes |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Parent Company | Spangler Candy Company |
| Manufacturing Location | Bryan, Ohio |
History
Dum Dums Timeline
- 1924 — Akron Candy Company creates Dum Dums in Bellevue, Ohio
- 1924 — I.C. Bahr names the lollipop Dum Dums for kids
- 1924 — Seven original flavors launched to the public
- 1953 — Spangler Candy Company purchases Dum Dums from Akron
- 1953 — Manufacturing plant moves from Bellevue to Bryan, Ohio
- 1953 — Spangler briefly switches to plastic sticks before reverting
- 1963 — Spangler introduces the Dum Dum Drum Man mascot
- 1970s — Dum Dum Drum Man promotions continue through the decade
- Post-1953 — Spangler gradually adds eleven new flavors including Mystery Flavor
Dum Dums vs Tootsie Pops
| Feature | Dum Dums | Tootsie Pops |
|---|---|---|
| Candy Type | Hard candy lollipop | Hard candy lollipop with Tootsie Roll center |
| Introduced | 1924 | 1931 |
| Manufacturer | Spangler Candy Company | Tootsie Roll Industries |
| Flavors | 18 flavors including Mystery Flavor | Multiple fruit and chocolate flavors |
| Stick Material | Paper stick | Paper stick |
| Availability | Widely available in US | Widely available in US |
| Calories | Approximately 25 calories per pop | Approximately 60 calories per pop |
The creation of Dum Dums
During the early 1900s, the creation of lollipop processing machines began to be developed. Numerous candy companies began buying and developing their own lollipop making machine.
One of these candy companies included the Akron Candy Company located in Bellevue, Ohio.
They made a smaller variation of a lollipop that they would call a Dum Dum in 1924.
How did they get the name Dum Dums?
The person that came up with the name Dum Dums was I.C. Bahr. A sales manager for the Akron Candy Company.
Bahr’s reasoning for calling the lollipops Dum Dums was because it was an easy name for kids to say. Even an infant could learn the word Dum Dum and ask their parents to get one for them.
This name stuck and the lollipops have been known as Dum Dums ever since.
The early popularity of Dum Dums
Dum Dum lollipops quickly became one of the more popular hard candies in the US. The Akron Candy Company would release 7 original flavors that kids and adults loved.
Those included:
- Butterscotch
- Cherry
- Coconut-Pineapple
- Grape
- Lemon
- Lime
- Orange
Kids became passionate for Dum Dums and for only a penny or more, they could buy a lot of Dum Dums.
The Spangler Candy Company Buys Dum Dums
In 1953, after nearly 30 years after creating Dum Dums, the Akron Candy Company would sell their rights to the candy.
The rights to Dum Dum lollipops would be sold to the Spangler Candy Company. A much larger candy company than Akron Candy Company, who made them a large off they couldn’t refuse.
Along with the purchase, Spangler would move the location of the Dum Dum manufacturing plant. Moving the plant from Bellevue to Bryan, Ohio.
Quick Quiz
Which Of These Is The Oldest Candy?
Spangler expands the success of Dum Dums
Under new ownership, the popularity of Dum Dums would expand rapidly. Thanks to Spangler having bigger and better processing machines, they were able to distribute and sell more Dum Dums.
They would begin processing thousands of lollipops daily. Way more than the Akron Candy Company were capable of making.
Spangler’s misstep
In the early years of Spangler’s ownership of Dum Dums, they tried to do one thing differently. That was attempting to change from paper sticks to plastic sticks.
The attempt of using plastic sticks was short lived as many customers complained about their potential for injury. Spangler quickly returned to using paper sticks which is what they have used ever since.
Logo
Buy Online
You can also buy Dum Dums at Old Time Candy by clicking the image below.
Spangler’s adds more Dum Dum flavors
After becoming the owner of Dum Dums, they would begin to gradually introduce more variety of flavors.
To add to the original seven flavors, they would add:
- Blu Raspberry
- Bubble Gum
- Cotton Candy
- Cream Soda
- Fruit Punch
- Mystery Flavor
- Peach-Mango
- Root Beer
- Sour Apple
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
The Dum Dum Drum Man
A decade after purchasing Dum Dums, the Spangler Candy Company would introduce a Dum Dums mascot. The Dum Dum Drum Man.
A humanoid drum that was made to market to kids to buy more Dum Dums. Numerous different promotions were made using the Dum Dum Drum Man during the 1960s and 1970s.
The mascot isn’t used much today, but the mascot can still be seen by visitors that tour the factory.
The Dum Dum Mystery Flavor
The last flavor added to the other 15 Dum Dum flavors was the mystery flavor Dum Dum. A lot of claims have been made by fans of the lollipop to what the mystery flavor actually is.
What adds to the mystery is not one mystery flavor Dum Dum tastes the same. Honestly though, there really isn’t anything mysterious about the Dum Dum mystery flavor.
The truth is that mystery flavors were a way to sell excess lollipop flavoring. At the end of each day, the processing machine that makes Dum Dums leftover material in the machine.
As to not let the material go to waste, the workers began making Dum Dums out of the extra material. That is how mystery flavor Dum Dums were created.
Marketing
You would think that to be around as long as Dums Dums have been that they have had great marketing campaigns. Their success is actually quite the opposite.
The Spangler Candy Company has really changed much of anything about Dum Dums since acquiring the candy in 1953. Other than adding 11 other flavors along with the 7 original flavors.
Even the logos and wrappers haven’t changed much in the 70 years since the Spangler Candy Company bought Dum Dums.
This lack of marketing has actually not hurt the sale of Dum Dums at all. They let the flavors speak for themselves and people continue to buy millions of the product every year.
Fans of Dum Dum lollipops seem to enjoy the nostalgia about the candy and feel like nothing needs to be changed.
Flavors
Originally, there were only 7 flavors when the Akron Candy Company first created the lollipop. Then after the Spangler Candy Company bought the rights to Dum Dums, the flavors expanded to 18.
The list of Dum Dum flavors include:
- Blu Raspberry
- Bubble Gum
- Butterscotch
- Cherry
- Cotton Candy
- Cream Soda
- Fruit Punch
- Grape
- Lemon Lime
- Orange
- Peach-Mango
- Pineapple
- Root Beer
- Sour Apple
- Strawberry
- Watermelon
- Mystery Flavor
Other Spangler Candy products
Dum Dums are not the only popular candy that the Spangler Candy Company is known for making.
Some other popular candies that they’ve created or owned include:
- Candy Canes
- Circus Peanuts
- Whistle Pops
- Necco Wafers
- Sweethearts
- Bit O Honey
The Spangler Candy Company actually makes 45% of the candy canes produced in the US.
Ingredients
- Sugar
- Corn Syrup
- Citric Acid
- Malic Acid
- Salt
- Artificial Flavor
- Color Added
- (Includes: Red 40, Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 1)
Nutrition
| Serving Size: | 1 pops (5g) | % Daily Value* |
| Amount Per Serving | ||
| Calories from Fat | 0 | |
| Calories | 20 | |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | |
| Sodium | 0mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 5g | 2% |
| Sugars | 3.7g | |
| Protein | 0g |
- Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Pictures
Dum Dums makes a new ad
A few years ago, Spangler candy actually made an ad to advertise Dum Dums. This was the first ad they had done for the lollipops in over 30 years.
It was just a 15 second animated commercial that included their trademark catchphrase. “Dum Dums: Make life pop!”
Commercial
Dum Dums today
Today, Dum Dum lollipops are still going strong and still sell relatively well. The Spangler Candy Company now makes over 10 million Dum Dum lollipops daily.
Rget haven’t changed much, but that seems to be what their loyal customers like most about the candy. Fans of Dum Dums have continued to support their favorite lollipop for over 100 years.
More than likely, your grandkids will also enjoy Dum Dum lollipops in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dum Dums
When were Dum Dums invented?
Dum Dums were created in 1924 by the Akron Candy Company, located in Bellevue, Ohio. They were developed during a period when lollipop processing machines were being widely adopted by candy companies. The lollipop quickly became one of the more popular hard candies in the United States.
How did Dum Dums get their name?
The name Dum Dums was coined by I.C. Bahr, a sales manager for the Akron Candy Company. Bahr chose the name because it was simple and easy for young children to say. The idea was that even an infant could learn to say 'Dum Dum' and ask their parents to buy one for them.
Who owns Dum Dums today?
Dum Dums are currently owned and produced by the Spangler Candy Company. Spangler purchased the rights to Dum Dums from the Akron Candy Company in 1953. Following the acquisition, Spangler moved the manufacturing plant from Bellevue, Ohio to Bryan, Ohio.
What is the Dum Dums Mystery Flavor?
The Mystery Flavor is not a single defined flavor but rather a creative use of leftover flavoring material from the production machines. At the end of each production day, excess candy material remains in the processing machine, and rather than waste it, workers use it to make additional lollipops. Because the leftover material varies each time, no two Mystery Flavor Dum Dums taste exactly the same.
What were the original Dum Dum flavors?
The Akron Candy Company launched Dum Dums with seven original flavors: Butterscotch, Cherry, Coconut-Pineapple, Grape, Lemon, Lime, and Orange. These flavors were popular with both kids and adults and helped establish Dum Dums as one of the most popular hard candies in the US. After Spangler acquired the brand in 1953, they gradually added eleven more flavors to the lineup.
The entire world and the Internet seems to have completely forgotten or missed the fact that Dum Dums used to be a little bit bigger.
The band used to be vertical and in alignment with the stick.
Now the band is horizontal/perpendicular to the stick and the pop is smaller containing less candy than they used to.
This change happened some time maybe in the late 1990’s
Probably about the time they tried plastic sticks.
Due to a public outcry they switched back to paper sticks.
But nobody ever noticed or complained about the noticeably smaller candy/pop size.
Truth. I just opened my first DumDum since I was a kid in the 80’s, and my first thought was “dang that is small.” Tried to research the evolution of the size change, and found this article. Thank you for verifying my thoughts.
It’s very infuriating that no one noticed that. I think there have been multiple size cuts. One of them happened in the past 10 years or so. Now they are so tiny.
loved dum dums all my life and will be a fan until the end. Without stick would make nice treat also
I have been searching for a picture or story of them promotion offers on the wrapper itself. As a 5-15 year Old in the 70s,we saved the wrappers to order stuff off if them. Usually,if i remember right,just wrappers would get you and additional toy. Save them,select what you want ,and mail in wrappers. Then wait in the mail to deliver your prize.