Fairy Floss and the Origin of Cotton Candy

Carnivals, festivals and fairs all commonly offer the delightful treat of cotton candy. The aroma of the colorful candy easily attracts those walking by and there is something exciting about being handed a bright, fluffy treat on a stick that triggers many childhood memories for adults. Made from only sugar and air, it’s hard to believe such a creation could have such a big impact on people.

In the late 1890s, Josef, John Wharton, William Morrison and Thomas Patton created a tempting treat known as Fairy Floss. The two were able to patent their machine in 1899, when the original design used centrifugal force to spin melted sugar through tiny holes and capture it on a stick. The machine made its debut in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair and was given the name “cotton candy” from a local carnival worker.

The candy quickly grew in popularity across the country at carnivals and festivals, and now can be found at events ranging from children’s sports games to street fairs. Don’t be left out – if there aren’t any theme parks or fairs coming up this summer near you, bring the fun home by buying your own cotton candy machine!