People have been left scratching their heads after realising just how many chocolate bars have space-themed names, leaving them to wonder whether it was all done on purpose
When scanning the supermarket shelves for a chocolate bar, most people recognise a common theme with their brand names – space. With Mars, Milky Way, and Galaxy all up for grabs, it has caused people to wonder whether there’s a reason behind the ‘out of this world’ names.
It prompted one Reddit user to ask: “Why are so many chocolate bars named after outer space? Mars, Milky Way, Galaxy, Orbit etc.” Trying to guess the answer, one person replied: “Because chocolatiers are aliens.” Another user added: “Because they’re out of this world.” A third user said: “I think a lot of those candy bars became a thing during the space race when it was popular.”
However, it turns out it’s mostly down to coincidence. The Milky Way bar, made of nougat, topped with caramel, and covered with milk chocolate, was created in 1923 by Frank C. Mars. But its name comes from a then-popular milkshake drink, rather than after the astronomical galaxy. Later, in 1932, Frank C. Mars’s son went on to create Mars bar, known in the US as Milky Way bar, after modelling it on his father’s already popular Milky Way bar.
It is thought Mars bar came from the family name Mars, rather than the name for the Red Planet. But these aren’t the only chocolate bars made by Mars Inc. with space-themed names, as they manufacture Galaxy too.
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In the UK, Galaxy has been around since the 1960s – but it wasn’t until 30 years later that the company introduced the iconic bar to its US customers for test marketing, despite it being an American brand. But rather than using its UK name – Galaxy – the brand decided to keep its original identity – Dove – to not confuse its loyal customers.
The brand name Dove dates back to 1939 when Greek-American Leo Stefanos owned candy and ice cream shops called Dove Candies & Ice Cream. In 1956, he created the Dove brand for his ice cream bars, sold locally throughout Chicago until 1985 when he branched out to selected cities in America.
While its US name can be put down to ‘avoiding confusion’, Mars Inc says Galaxy got its name because it “helps women choose a new kind of pleasure for the first time”. A statement reads: “We have strived to empower each new generation to choose pleasure too, right up to today’s heroines who juggle modern life.”
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