The idea didn’t come from a boardroom — it came from conflict.

During the Spanish Civil War, Forrest Mars observed British soldiers snacking on chocolate candies with a hard shell — known then as Smarties (not the American version) — designed to withstand extreme heat without melting .

He saw potential.

So he partnered with Bruce Murrie , who had both the connections and the chocolate supply (thanks to his ties with Hershey’s), and together they created the original M&M’s Plain Chocolate Candies .

Their purpose?

To provide U.S. soldiers with chocolate that could endure high temperatures
To offer a sweet comfort during bitter times
By 1948, after World War II ended, M&M’s were available to the public — and the rest is sweet, crunchy history.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The Power of Partnership
What made this collaboration even more unique?

It wasn’t just a business deal.
It was a handshake between two chocolate giants.

At the time:

Bruce Murrie held a 20% stake in the new candy
Forrest Mars controlled the remaining 80%
This partnership ensured access to critical wartime ingredients like sugar and chocolate — something difficult to secure during rationing.

After the war, Murrie stepped back — but his influence remains baked into the brand.

Because every time you say “M&M’s”…

You're really saying:

“Thank you, Mars and Murrie.” 

🌍 How M&M’s Evolved Over Time
From military rations to pop culture icons — M&M’s have come a long way.

Key Milestones:
1941
First introduced to U.S. soldiers
1948
Released to the general public
1954
Peanut M&M’s hit shelves
1960s–70s
Colorful characters like the Red and Yellow mascots appear
1990s
New flavors, holiday editions, and mini versions
Today
M&M’s are a global brand with countless variations and collectible editions

Even the colors changed over the decades — including the infamous vote in 1995 to bring back tan M&M’s after public demand.

🎬 Pop Culture Icon
M&M’s aren’t just candy — they’re celebrities.

From TV commercials to movie cameos, the talking candy mascots have become part of American culture.

Did you know?

In the early 90s, M&M’s ran a campaign where Red claimed he was "tired of being melted"
The candies have appeared in movies, music videos, and even sports sponsorships
They've been rebranded for holidays, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and even space missions
NASA even sent M&M’s to space — because why shouldn’t astronauts get a taste of home?

📜 Fun Facts You Might Not Know About M&M’s
Original slogan
“Mars’ new way to eat chocolate”
First color lineup
Brown, green, yellow, orange, red, and violet
Discontinued colors
Tan was replaced by blue in 1995
World record holder
Largest chocolate candy in the world (2012)
Special edition flavors
Pretzel, mint, chili, coconut, and even coffee

And if you’ve ever wondered what’s inside an M&M…

Just plain milk chocolate — coated in a smooth shell that protects it until the moment you bite. 

🍬 Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Things Come From Unlikely Alliances
M&M’s started as a wartime experiment — a way to give soldiers a chocolate that wouldn’t melt in the sun or in their pockets.

But what began as a practical solution became a cultural phenomenon — and a symbol of sweetness in unexpected places.

So next time you pour out a handful of M&M’s…

Remember:

You’re holding a piece of history
You’re tasting a wartime innovation
And you’re enjoying a candy named after two men who believed in a simple idea — that chocolate should be fun, durable, and delicious
Because sometimes, the best ideas don’t come from labs or luxury kitchens.

They come from dusty battlefields.
From partnerships born out of necessity.
From a clever twist on a British treat.

And from two names:

Mars and Murrie 

That turned into a brand we all know and love.