They’re sweet. They’re fruity. And they’re oh-so fun. Lollipops are a childhood staple, and they can bring back bright and happy memories. But did you know that lollipops were invented right here in Connecticut? Well, that’s what George Smith of New Haven said, but some historians believe its origin goes back even further. Read on to learn more about the fascinating history behind one of America’s favorite sugary treats.

When you were a kid, you probably begged for a lollipop every time you saw one. These vibrant candies are hard to ignore.
Mstroeck/Wikimedia Commons
Many historians think the lollipop actually dates all the way back to ancient Africa and Asia.
Eljay/Flickr
Versions of the lollipop have been discovered all across the globe. Ancient Chinese, Arab, and Egyptian civilizations were known to coat fruit and nuts in honey and place them on a stick. In the Middle Ages, nobility ate boiled sugar off of handles.
But George Smith of New Haven is credited with creating the modern-day lollipop we all know and love.
Willy Verhulst/Flickr

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Smith concocted this sugary treat in 1908. His version, however, consisted of soft candy.
AdmlCrunch/Flickr
Later that year, the lollipop reached mass production.
Steve Snodgrass/Flickr
Racine Confectionery Machine Company, located in Wisconsin, created the first automatic lollipop machine. This impressive tool could create 2,400 sticks of hard candy lollipops per hour. This certainly satisfied everyone's sweet tooth!
In 1931, George Smith trademarked the name "Lollipop," further cementing his fame as the inventor of this sugary treat.
Beth/Flickr
Even with his trademark, the jury is still out about whether Smith should get all of the credit. Some linguists say "lolly pop" translates to "tongue slap," and it's believed that vendors sold these treats along the streets of London.
Who knew lollipops had such a long and intricate history?
Scott McCallum/Flickr

This isn’t the only amazing thing invented in Connecticut. This Connecticut restaurant is credited with inventing the hamburger!

If you want to learn more about this great state, check out these 13 things you probably didn’t know about Connecticut.

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