One of my favorite holidays just passed. February 15th. Yup, you heard me right. February 15th, not the 14th. Oh, I love Valentine’s Day, but I’m more in love with the discounted candy the day after, including a candy that apparently I’m in the minority when it comes to liking. But this year, they were harder to come by, despite being the most popular Valentine’s Day candy. The history of any modern-day candy, actually, can be attributed to these, as well.

You’re listening to The Story Behind: The Extraordinary History of the Ordinary. I’m your host, Emily Prokop, and this is The Story Behind Conversation Hearts.

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Media:

• Music for Makers

Sources:

• The Origin of the Conversation Heart - Mental Floss
• Chalk Full of Love: The Evolution of Conversation Hearts - National Geographic
• The History of Sweetheart Candies - Smithsonian
• 10+ Years of Conversation Hearts - Reader’s Digest
• The Pharmacist Who Launched America’s Modern Candy Industry - Smithsonian
• O.R. Chase Sugar Machine - United States Patent and Trademark Office
• O.R. & S.E. Chase Lozenge Machine - United States Patent and Trademark Office
• America's favorite Valentine's Day candy is unavailable this year - CNBC
• Sweethearts Candies Won’t Be Available This Valentine’s Day - Smithsonian
• A-Twitter Over Updated Sweethearts Candy - NPR
• In with the old, out with the new - Boston.com
• Sweathearts Candies - Sprangler Candy
• 10 Things You Didn't Know About Candy Conversation Hearts - Country Living
• Spelling Love with Candy Hearts: The History of Conversation Heart Phrases - InfoPlease
• Wedding Day Lore - AVictorian.com
• Sweet Tooth: The Bittersweet History of Candy by Kate Hopkins
• 'The Mother Of The Valentine' - WBUR
• Conversation Hearts…necco Or Brach’s? - All Things Heart & Home