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The Colorful History of Haribo Goldbears, the World’s First Gummy Bears

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Summary

In 1920, German confectioner Hans Riegel Sr. started a candy company called Haribo and created the first gummy bears, called Dancing Bears or Tanzbaren in German. The gummies have been through multiple makeovers, with their most prominent being rebranded as Goldbears in 1960. Haribo's success has brought it to over 100 countries and 160 million Goldbears are made every day. The history of gummies actually predates Riegel's invention, with them having been derived from precursors such as the gumdrop, Turkish Delight, and wine gum. After World War II, Haribo was transformed by the Riegel brothers, Paul and Hans Jr., into a candy superpower. It only arrived in the U.S. in 1982 and has since become a part of Western pop culture. Haribo has been criticized for their alleged use of slave labor, which has been denied by the company. They currently have an inventory of over 1,000 products, including Happy-Cola gummies, Sour Goldbears, and Alphabet Letters. Haribo's success can be attributed to its consistency, quality, and continued expansion and ownership by the Riegel family.

Q&As

Who was the first person to create gummy bears?
Hans Riegel Sr. was the first person to create gummy bears.

What is the slogan of Haribo?
The slogan of Haribo is "Haribo macht Kinder froh," or "Haribo makes children happy."

What influence did World War II have on Haribo?
World War II brought Haribo's success to an abrupt halt. The Riegel brothers had to almost close down production and start from scratch after the war.

What are some unique Haribo products in different countries?
Some unique Haribo products in different countries include denture-shaped teeth gummies in Turkey, milkshakes in the U.K., and blue-hued gummies in France and Germany that pay homage to the cartoon Smurfs.

What is Haribo's strategy for continued success?
Haribo's strategy for continued success includes consistency, quality of candy and product marketing, expansion, and ownership by the Riegel family. They also capitalize on the burst of childhood nostalgia triggered by any purchase of Haribo candy.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a comprehensive and fascinating look into the colorful history of Haribo Goldbears and the invention of gummy bears. It's amazing to learn the story of the company's humble beginnings and the impact it has had on popular culture.

👎 This article glosses over the controversy surrounding Haribo's alleged use of modern slavery in Brazil and their refusal to join the Remembrance, Responsibility and the Future foundation. It fails to provide a thorough examination of the ethical issues associated with the company.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the colorful history of Haribo Goldbears, the world's first gummy bears. It talks about how founder Hans Riegel Sr. created the gummy bear in 1920, and how the company has grown and expanded over the last 100 years. It also discusses the company's use of carnauba wax in its products, and how it has been accused of using slave labor to produce the wax.

Friend: Wow, that's a lot to take in. It's amazing to see how far the company has come in such a short amount of time. It's also really concerning that they've been accused of using slave labor.

Me: Absolutely. It's definitely a troubling accusation. It's important to remember, though, that the company has launched investigations and taken steps to address the issue. They've switched suppliers and discontinued the use of carnauba wax, and they've become a founding member of the Initiative for Responsible Carnauba.

Friend: That's good to hear. It's important for companies to take these matters seriously and take the necessary steps to ensure that their practices are ethical.

Action items

Research the other candy companies mentioned in the article, such as Chuckles, Jujubes, and Jelly Belly, to learn more about the history of candy in the United States.
Research the Initiative for Responsible Carnauba to learn more about the organization and its efforts to combat modern slavery.
Explore the different flavors of Haribo gummies available in different countries to learn more about the global appeal of the product.

Technical terms

Haribo: A German confectionery company founded in 1920 by Hans Riegel Sr.
Gummy Bear: A type of candy invented by Hans Riegel Sr. in 1922, made of gelatin and shaped like a bear.
Apple: An American technology company founded in 1976.
Tanzbaren: The original name of Haribo's gummy bear, meaning "Dancing Bear" in German.
Goldbears: The rebranded name of Haribo's gummy bear in 1960.
Gumdrop: A type of candy made of gelatin and sugar, shaped like a dome.
Turkish Delight: A type of confectionery made of starch and sugar, originating in Turkey.
Wine Gum: A type of non-alcoholic candy originating in the United Kingdom.
Jelly Belly: An American confectionery company founded in 1869, known for its jelly beans.
Trolli: A German confectionery company founded in 1981, known for its gummy worms.
Adventures of the Gummi Bears: An animated television series aired by Disney between 1985 and 1991.
Remembrance, Responsibility and the Future: A foundation established to compensate individuals forced to work for German companies during World War II.
Carnauba Wax: A wax derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm, used to give Haribo gummies their shine and prevent them from sticking together.