by Greg B.

Created on: March 25, 2009

On a dreary evening in 1929, Frank was driving up the lane from a long day at the candy factory. Something was wrong; Ethyl was outside at this late hour to meet him. "Frank, Frank, Snickers is down. The vet is with her in the barn." Ethyl sobbed. Frank squeezed Ethyl and made the long trek to the barn where they had many horses. Snickers was the favorite though. Frank knew it wasn't good, Snickers had been quite sick for awhile now.

He entered the barn and the Doctor told him what he had suspected, Snickers was dead. Snickers was one of Frank and Ethyl Mars' children in their minds. Frank made the slow, lumbered pace to the house. Ethyl took the news very hard.

They talked and talked about the grand moments with that horse. How Snickers loved the apples Frank would feed from his hand. "We must have a memorial Ethyl." Frank exclaimed. "The new candy bar we are developing will have Snickers name and spirit."

Have you ever enjoyed that rich candy bar with peanuts, nougat, caramel, and milk chocolate that says Snickers on the wrapper? You are enjoying a piece of that memorial of Frank and Ethyl's.

Knowing the story of how this wonderful candy bar came to be, makes me wonder if the spirit of Snickers isn't in each and every one. The horse was said to be a spirited horse and liked to play. I must admit, when I eat a Snickers candy bar I get spirited and playful too. Do we gain a little piece of Frank and Ethyl Mars' horse every time we eat one?

Frank and Ethyl Mars were the original owners of what is now the largest candy manufacturer in the world. It is, of course, called Mars Inc. What started as a small candy operation in the early 1900's became huge, and a large part of it was from that horse named Snickers.

In 1930, America's economy was in chaos. The market for candy was much better in Europe. The Snickers bar was first marketed in England and Ireland under the name "Marathon bar". In 1990, Frank and Ethyl's horse made the company even more profit. They changed the name of the European version from Marathon to Snickers. The popularity of the candy bar jumped from ninth to third place in rankings in the United Kingdom.

Mars Inc. makes many, many great candy bars. They include Milky Way, Twix, M&M's, and many more. I must say that Snickers has always been my favorite and always will. I always did love horses too.

The next time you buy a Snickers, think back to 1929 and a beautiful horse with the name of Snickers.

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