The invention of gummy bears is attributed to Hans Riegel, a German confectioner. Hans Riegel was the founder of the Haribo company, which is now one of the most famous candy manufacturers in the world. The history of these famous gummy bears dates back to the first half of the 20th century.
In 1920, Hans Riegel founded Haribo in Bonn, Germany. In its early days, the company focused primarily on manufacturing hard candies and licorice. However, in 1922, Hans Riegel revolutionized the confectionery world by inventing gummy bears, which he called "Tanzbären" or "dancing bears" in German. These bear-shaped candies were an innovation at the time, as they were both fun and delicious.
Haribo's gummy bears were an instant success in Germany, and they quickly became iconic. In 1967, Haribo renamed its bears "Goldbären" or "gold bears". The name "Goldbären" was chosen to reflect the high quality of the candies, and the gummy bears were packaged in distinctive gold foil, which made them even more recognizable.
Haribo gummy bears then conquered the international market and became one of the most popular candies in the world. Their success inspired many other companies to create their own versions of gummy bears.
Today, gummy bear candies are available in a variety of flavors and colors, and they are enjoyed by people of all ages worldwide. Hans Riegel's invention left a lasting mark on the confectionery industry and continues to bring joy to millions of people.