by Alexandra Koktsidis
Out of this world? Realistically, more like from across the pond. The Mars Bar was invented in Slough, Berkshire, England, in 1932. But with its smooth chocolate, caramel and nougat combo, the Mars Bar sure tastes like it’s out of this world.
Classic Mars.
What could be better than caramel and soft nougat covered in creamy milk chocolate?
The Mars Bar was created by Forrest Mars (1904-1999), the son of American chocolate business tycoon Frank C. Mars (1883-1934). Mars, Inc., first called Mar-O-Bar Company, was founded by Frank C. Mars in 1920 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Milky Way, invented by Mars in 1923, became of the most popular chocolate bars in the United States.
Forrest E. Mars Sr., creator of the Mars Bar, M&M and other chocolates.
Forrest Mars was born in Tacoma, Washington and became involved with Mars, Inc. early in his adult life. After a dispute with his father, Forrest left for Europe and started a Mars, Inc. branch in the UK. The Mars Bar was invented here, as a variation of the Milky Way, and became as popular with Europeans as the Milky Way was for Americans.
Other bars that Mars, Inc. went on to produce in the UK include Bounty, Galaxy Bars, Malteesers, and Milky Way Crispy Rolls.
In the United States, Mars, Inc. created the Snickers, Twix, 3 Musketeers, and M&Ms.
Interesting fact: M&M stands for Mars and Murrie, after Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie, son of the long-term Hershey company president William Murrie - remember how he helped develop these?
We leave you to check out this neat UK Mars Bar commercial from the 1980s: