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.
Please leave a review or any memories of this snack in the comments at the bottom of this page. Thank you!
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.
The history of Dum Dums
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.
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.
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.
The marketing of Dum Dums
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.
Dum Dums 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:
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Pictures of Dum Dums
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!”
Dum Dums 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.
Please leave a review or any memories of this snack in the comments below. Thank you!
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1953. Dum Dums brand was acquired and there were seven original flavors: Lemon, Lime, Orange, Coconut-Pineapple, Cherry, Grape and Butterscotch. Root Beer was added as an eighth flavor.
How many flavors of Dum-Dums are there? Packs of Original Dum-Dums have up to 16 flavors. Dum-Dums also come in a variety of seasonal packs with even more flavors. How did Dum-Dums get their name?
Dum Dums Limited Edition flavors are now available as single flavors! Buy Dragon Fruit Dum Dums today and stock up on your favorites. Each resealable bag contains about 50 pops. These sweet treats provide a small bit of sugar, allowing even strict dieters to indulge without the guilt.
Add Pink Dum Dums Lollipops to the pastel pink candy buffet at your party! These pink lollipops have a bubblegum flavor and are individually wrapped in light pink and white wrappers.
These yellow lollipops have a cream soda flavor and are individually wrapped in yellow and white wrappers. You can display them in candy bowls, give them out at your Easter lunch, or add them to favor bags at your baby shower! Yellow Dum Dums Lollipops product details: 80 per package.
There are many positive facts to share about Dum Dums as we all focus on healthy lifestyles. Each Dum Dum Pop has less than 25 calories and no fat. One way to help prevent obesity is to exercise "portion control". Dum Dum Pops are a perfectly sized treat, providing a quick, high-flavor treat without consuming too much.
Dum-Dums were originated by Akron Candy Company, Bellevue, Ohio. A company executive chose the name Dum-Dums for the ball-shaped candy on a stick because it was an easy name for children to say and remember. Spangler Candy purchased Dum-Dums from Akron Candy and moved the operation to Bryan, Ohio.
Dum Dums will stay edible for 3-4 years when stored properly. The key to maintaining their freshness is to keep them in a cool, dry place. Humidity and heat can cause the candy coating to soften and the flavors to fade, so avoid keeping them in places that get warm.
Buy Bright Green Sour Apple Dum Dums in the 4-75 count bags to fit a color scheme and have plenty for your next crafting project, birthday or graduation party, or other themed event! Spangler Candy Dum Dums are gluten-free, OU kosher certified and free of the top common allergens.
This sweet strawberry flavor has been gracing Dum Dums assortment packs since 1954. Dum Dums strawberry single flavor edition was meant for true fans of strawberry lollipops - candy lovers who know what they want and go for it. Enjoy this sweet flavor at your next party, or add them to spruce up the office candy bowl!
Orange is perhaps the world's best-loved classic candy flavor. If you are looking to spruce up the office candy bowl with something everyone will enjoy, look no further than this Dum Dums single flavor. Orange Dum Dums will delight customers and brighten coworker's working hours.
Juicy peach and mouth-watering mango! Peach-Mango was added to the Dum Dums family in 2013, after the true candy lovers of the world selected it during the Pick the Next Flavor promotion.
When you buy Watermelon Dum Dums, you are making a sweet statement. These watermelon lollipops are something of a vintage classic, having been in the mix since 1982.
Dum Dums Limited Edition flavors are now available as single flavors! Buy Pineapple Coconut Dum Dums today and stock up on your favorites. Each resealable bag contains about 50 pops. These sweet treats provide a small bit of sugar, allowing even strict dieters to indulge without the guilt.
These white lollipops have a birthday cake flavor and are individually wrapped in white wrappers. You can display them in candy bowls, give them out at a black and white party, or add them to favor bags at your engagement party! White Dum Dums Lollipops product details: 80 per package.
Well, Dum Dums sure don't think so. That's why these teeny purple suckers exist, bursting with all the delight of grape flavor, sealed up in a tasty little hard candy treat. Perfect for small on-the-go snacks and teeny treats to quell sugar cravings; there's nothing foolish about a Dum Dum.
These royal blue lollipops have a blueberry flavor and are individually wrapped in deep blue and white wrappers. You can display them in candy bowls, give them out at your 4th of July barbecue, or add them to favor bags at your royal blue party! Royal Blue Dum Dums Lollipops product details: 80 per package.
These black lollipops have a black cherry flavor and are individually wrapped in black and white wrappers. You can display them in candy bowls, give them out to trick-or-treaters, or add them to favor bags at your black and white party! Black Dum Dums Lollipops product details: 80 per package.
The all-time classic Cherry flavor has been around since 1924, and Spangler Candy gets it just right. Those who buy Cherry Dum Dums know themselves better than most. These shoppers know what they want, and are ready to go straight for their favorite.
Not only is this candy flavor one of the most recognizable flavors for lollipops, shattered hard candy, and candy canes, but this flavor is also one of the most beloved. Similar to both watermelon and strawberry, cherry candy blends the perfect combination of sweetness and tartness.
The program allowed consumers to collect wrappers and complete challenges using codes on the bottom of Dum Dums wrappers. Consumers could earn points after completing challenges to get cool stuff for free or reduced prices. We offered quality items that could not be purchased at retail outlets.
Buy Lemon Lime Dum Dums in the 50 count bag to have plenty to share with family, friends and coworkers! Each bag contains about 50 pops. This Dum Dums flavor will have kids asking for more, making it the perfect addition to trick or treat bags, candy dishes or treat boxes.
Spangler Candy purchased Dum Dums in 1953 from Akron Candy and moved the operation to Bryan, Ohio. Our modern factory now produces about 12 million Dum Dums per day.
Dum-Dums were originated by Akron Candy Company, Bellevue, Ohio. A company executive chose the name Dum-Dums for the ball-shaped candy on a stick because it was an easy name for children to say and remember. Spangler Candy purchased Dum-Dums from Akron Candy and moved the operation to Bryan, Ohio.
Purdue found that it took 364 licks for a licking machine that they had built, but 252 licks from some of their volunteers. On the other hand, Michigan's licking machine took 411 licks to reach the center. Swarthmore did everything with human tongues, reaching an average of 144 licks.
Everybody loves Strawberry...a classic favorite! This sweet strawberry flavor has been gracing Dum Dums assortment packs since 1954. Dum Dums strawberry single flavor edition was meant for true fans of strawberry lollipops - candy lovers who know what they want and go for it.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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