On National Lollipop Day, celebrated each year on July 20, we honor one of America’s favorite nostalgic treats—and its surprising roots in New Haven, Connecticut. In 1892, George C. Smith of the Bradley-Smith Candy Company revolutionized the candy industry by putting sticks into balls of hard candy, creating what we now know as the lollipop. This simple yet ingenious invention made candy easier (and cleaner) to eat, especially for children. Today, the lollipop remains a symbol of sweet joy, and New Haven proudly claims its place in confectionery history as the birthplace of this iconic delight.
