In 1842, Stephen F. Whitman opened a "confectionery and fruit shop" at Third and Market Streets in Philadelphia. He was the first to package candy in printed, marked boxes in 1854.
Whitman advertised his candy. In 1860 he began using newspaper ads. In 1909 Whitman's began advertising in the Saturday Evening Post. During the 1940s and 50s many stars posed for these magazine ads, including Bob Hope and Elizabeth Taylor. They were paid in Whitman's chocolates!
In the early 1900s, Walter Sharp began working for Whitman's Candy Company. He was a sales manager and organized national sales of the boxed candies to drug stores.
In 1912, the Whitman's Sampler was first introduced. The Sampler was a special box with a mix of different popular kinds of candy sold in the store. The Sampler box was decorated in a cross-stitch design. This design picture was based on a hand-made cross-stitch by Walter Sharp's grandmother. The Sampler box also came with a chart naming the different kinds of candy and their locations in the box.. Even today, the Sampler remains very popular and the yellow box with cross-stitch cover design is easily recognized.
During times of war, Whitman's sent candy to American troops. This started in World War I.
During World War II, Whitman's sent 6 million pounds of chocolate to American service personnel. Women working on the candy production lines placed hand-written notes in these boxes. Some friendships and marriages resulted.
After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country, Whitman's again sent candy to U.S. service men and women. They sent more than 6,000 boxes of chocolates, and the boxes again included hand-written notes of encouragement.
In 2002 Whitman's Candies was 160 years old. Today, Whitman's still makes the Sampler, as well as may other kinds of candies.
Whitman's Candies is part of Russell-Stover.
Did you know? December 17 is National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day!
|
|
|
