Sour Patch, the brand famous for its "sour then sweet" candy, has a fascinating history rooted in the 1970s. Originally created in Canada by Frank Galatolie, the candies were initially called "Mars Men" and were shaped like aliens, capitalizing on the widespread space exploration craze of the era. However, in 1985, seeking to leverage another popular trend, the candies were cleverly rebranded as Sour Patch Kids, adopting their iconic child-like shapes to align with the Cabbage Patch Kids doll phenomenon. This strategic shift helped propel the brand to widespread popularity, leading to a diverse range of products beyond the classic Sour Patch Kids, such as Sour Patch Watermelon and Sour Patch Strawberries, all delivering that signature tangy-to-sweet flavor journey.