by Tom Stewart

Created on: March 25, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2009

The Snickers candy bar is named after a horse, of course. Invented by Frank Mars in 1930 and named after his favorite horse, Snickers, it was the second of a long line of successful candy bars created by the Mars family.

Frank C. Mars learned how to make candy from his mother when he was only a child and he was already selling his first creations by the young age of 19. In 1911, at age 38, and now with his second wife Ethel, Frank opened up his own candy factory in the state of Washington. However, the candy business wasn't so 'sweet' at first. Unable to find the 'taste' of success, Frank and Ethel moved back to Frank's home state of Minnesota. In 1920 the family started a new candy business and found success with the release of the Milky Way Bar inspired by an idea by Frank's son Forrest. As their candy business thrived, the Mars family spread their wealth and invested in many areas including race horses eventually creating the Milky Way Stables.

In 1930, Frank invented a new candy bar made with a peanut butter nougat center topped with roasted peanuts and caramel and covered in milk chocolate. Frank decided to name it after his favorite race horse, Snickers. In 1932, with business booming, the company was moved to Chicago, Illinois and renamed Mars, Incorporated. Sadly, in 1934 Frank Mars died at age 50 from heart and kidney complications and the business was left to his children and continues to be family owned to this day.

A typical 2 ounce Snickers bar contains 273 calories and is made with milk chocolate, peanuts, corn syrup, sugar, skim milk, milk fat, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, lactose, salt, egg whites, and artificial flavor. Over the years it has also had many spin-off treats like the Snickers Ice Cream Bar, Snickers Munch, Snickers Cruncher, Snickers Gold, Snickers Almond, Snickers Duo, Snickers Marathon, and Snickers Fun Size Minis. It also has had some trendy versions called Snickers Xtreme containing 5 grams of protein, Snickers Dark made with dark chocolate, and Snickers Charged with caffeine and B-12 added for an energy boost. Some people also like to freeze their Snickers bars and eat them frozen.

Today the Snickers bar is considered to be the top selling candy bar of all time in the United States. Snickers is also an avid sponsor of the National Football League and NASCAR racing. It originally sold for just five cents in the 1930's.

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