Who Invented Lifesavers Candy?

Who invented Lifesavers candy?  A man named Clarence Crane is widely viewed as the man who invented Lifesavers candy. 

In 1912, chocolate maker Clarence Crane came up with an idea for a mint.

• This mint was shape like the circular tubes that many ships had just begun to use as floatation devices if someone were to fall overboard. 
• These floatation devices were called life savers.
• Because of its shape, the mint that Clarence Crane came up with was named the Lifesaver.

This mint was created as a means of keeping himself financially afloat through the summer months in which he had much difficulty selling his chocolates.  And, for a while, this new mint was a life saver for Clarence Crane's career.

Changes to the Lifesaver Candy

Clarence Crane, the man who invented Lifesavers, was also responsible for its popular design.

• One day, as he was purchasing flavors for his goods at a drug store, Crane spotted the druggist making small round pills with a pill press.
• He instantly had the idea of using the press to make his mints, and added the Lifesaver touch by simply punching the signature Lifesaver hole through the center.
• The mints were a local hit, and Crane sold all of his creative and branding rights to a man named Edward Noble the following summer for less than $3,000 dollars.

In addition to the mints, Noble went on to create the flavored rings that are so very popular today, turning the small business venture into a multi-million dollar industry and getting his name known, along with the man who originally invented the life saver concept.