Linda-Remeber M&Ms and Cheerios from the 1940s

CHEERIOS

General Mills' best-selling, ready-to-eat cereal was originally Cheeri Oats when it was first introduced in 1941. Developed as a convenient alternative to hot oatmeal, it was America's first oat-based, ready-to-eat cereal.

The name Cheeri Oats had to be changed in 1945, to avoid a conflict with a competitor who suggested they had exclusive rights to use the word "oats" in a commercial name. Thus, "Cheeri Oats" was changed to "Cheerios."

The rest, as they say, is history.
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M&Ms
The idea for "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies was born in the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War? Legend has it that on a trip to Spain Forrest Mars Sr. encountered soldiers who were eating pellets of chocolate that were encased in a hard sugary coating to prevent them from melting. Inspired by this idea, Mr. Mars went back to his kitchen and invented the recipe for "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies.

First sold to the public in 1941, "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies became a favorite of American GI's serving in World War II. Packaged in ardboard tubes, "M&M's" Plain Chocolate Candies were sold to the military as a convenient snack that traveled well in any climate. By the late 1940's, they became widely available to the public,who gave them an excellent reception. In 1948, the packaging changed from a tube form to the characteristic brown pouch known today.