The Inventor of Cotton Candy was Actually a Dentist

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Airy spun sugar, cotton candy—AKA Fairy floss—is a pink, fluffy cloud that kids’ dreams are made of. But who invented cotton candy?

Who invented cotton candy
Airy spun sugar, cotton candy—AKA Fairy floss—is a pink, fluffy cloud that kids’ dreams are made of.

Surprisingly, the inventor of cotton candy was actually a dentist! In 1897 William Morrison teamed up with Tennessee candy maker, John Wharton, to create the concoction. The duo premiered cotton candy in 1908 at the World’s Fair. The price was only 25 cents.

We know sweets are cruel on teeth, but just how bad is cotton candy for our smiles? Not as bad as one would expect. The sugary strings are mostly air. 1 ounce of cotton candy has 26 grams of sugar, compared to a candy apple and a funnel cake, which have 45 grams and 35 grams, respectively.

But why would a dentist invent cotton candy? The root of his sweet and sinful invention is still a big question mark, but many think he had some holes in his appointment book (and maybe his teeth too!).

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Caroline Jacobson
Caroline Jacobson serves as a social media writer for Delta Dental of Arizona. Based in Colorado and originally from the Deep South, Caroline recently graduated from the University of Denver with her Masters in Strategic Communications. Before joining Delta Dental, she worked as a marketing manager and social media specialist for an Alabama firm. Caroline has always had a passion for non-profits, recently working with the Denver Center for Performing Arts and PBS. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities with the three main men in her life: her husband and two long-haired dachshunds, Kyle and Brad. [Editor's Note: Caroline is no longer a current DD employee.]