The History of Cotton Candy

Cotton candy is a fan favorite at fairs and amusement parks, but the concept of spun sugar is older than you might think. In fact, it dates back to Italy in the 15th century, when chefs began laboring over vats of melting sugar and learned to spin it by hand using a fork-and-broom-handle technique that is still used today to create nests of caramel for impressive desserts. You might also be surprised to learn that cotton candy was invented by a dentist! William James Morrison, a dentist and inventor from Nashville, Tennessee, is credited with creating the first cotton candy machine with the help of his friend, John C. Wharton, a confectioner. In 1897, the two created what they called the “electric candy machine.” Capable of melting sugar in a spinning central chamber, the machine then used air to force the melted sugar through a wire screen and into a metal bowl, creating the gauzy cotton candy we know and love today. At the time, it was known as Fairy Floss and was first introduced to Americans at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, where it was sold in boxes that cost 25 cents each. The new sugary treat gained popularity almost immediately and Morrison and Wharton sold a total of 65,655 boxes. Known as cotton candy today, it remains a popular offering at fairs, theme parks, and various summertime events.