Few People Know Tennessee Was Home To The First Cotton Candy Machine In America

When people look back on Tennessee’s history, one of the first things that often comes to mind is its legendary music scene. From country and blues to rock and beyond, the state has nurtured countless iconic artists and helped shape the sound of American music. But music isn’t the only claim to fame for the Volunteer State. There’s another, sweeter legacy—light, fluffy, and surprisingly tied to a dental professional. That’s right: the first cotton candy machine was invented right here in Tennessee, and it was a dentist who brought the sugary treat to life. Funny how history has a sweet sense of irony.

William Morrison was a dentist by trade but he also was a brilliant mind who loved to tinker.

Not much is known about this man who lived from 1860 to 1926, but we know his one claim to fame. He invented the cotton candy machine and some speculate that he was trying to boost his business in dental work, while others think he was much more lighthearted and simply had a sweet tooth.

The mechanism is rather simple, but provides a wholly magical effect that has wowed and amazed people for decades. By placing sugar in the middle, the machine spins and heats up the crystals and pushes them back up through the hole in fine threads that stick together into one wonderful fluffy treat. Out of all the inventions from Tennessee this has got to be one of my favorites.

The invention so thrilled Mr. Morrison that he promptly took it to the 1904’s St. Louis World's Fair. There he showcased his new dessert to anyone who would give them attention and to say the least, it was an instant success.

Mr. Morrison called it Fairy Floss and to this day in Australia, they still use the original name. However, the product has changed slightly over the years and we now just call it cotton candy.

Today you can find it bagged or fresh on a stick at a fair and carnival. This has been a staple of such activities for years and years now, but not many people think about Tennessee, when they tear off a large piece of cotton candy.

If you are anything like us then you have fond childhood memories of watching a simple stick turn into a colorful and edible cloud. There isn’t a snack like this anywhere else, and when you really think about it, of course something this unique was born in Tennessee!

Sometimes cotton candy can be really hard to come by, many times you have to settle for a sealed bag and it just doesn’t hit the same. Luckily for us, not far from where the first cotton candy machine was invented, you can get works of fluffy cotton candy art. Puffy Cotton Candy has taken what Mr. Morrison started and crafted it into a wonderful masterpiece you must see. Make sure to head to Franklin, Tennessee, to see what all the hype is about! This history of Tennessee is rich but so is what we are known for so make sure you check out this OnlyInYourState video:

Ever wonder what about other things invented in Tennessee? Read on to learn more about things like typewriters, grocery stores, and mini golf!