Necco Wafers, said to be the oldest mass-produced candy in America, date back to 1847 when English immigrant Oliver Chase invented a machine to cut the thin sugar disks. Originally called "hub wafers," they gained historic popularity due to their remarkable durability and long shelf life, qualities that made them an ideal non-perishable ration for Union soldiers during the Civil War. Their role as a military staple continued into World War I and World War II, cementing this simple, eight-flavor confection as an enduring American icon of nostalgia and survival.
