Q 01/05

In what year did M&M's first go into production in the United States?

A) 1941

B) 1946

C) 1951

D) 1958

Answer · why

A) 1941

Forrest Mars received his patent for the coating process on 3 March 1941. The first factory was on Badger Avenue in Newark, New Jersey.

Q 02/05

The two Ms stand for Forrest Mars and which partner, whose father ran rival Hershey?

A) Milton Murrie

B) William Murrie

C) Bruce Murrie

D) Frank Murrie

Answer · why

C) Bruce Murrie

Bruce Murrie held a 20 percent share and the deal guaranteed Hershey chocolate during wartime rationing. He sold out to Mars in 1949.

Q 03/05

Forrest Mars got the idea for M&M's after seeing Spanish Civil War soldiers eating what?

A) Smarties

B) Skittles

C) Jelly Beans

D) Maltesers

Answer · why

A) Smarties

The British sweet was made by Rowntree's, which had sold 'Chocolate Beans' since at least 1882. Rowntree chose not to sue and the two firms agreed to ...

Q 04/05

Who was M&M's first big customer?

A) The US Navy

B) Woolworth's

C) Sears Roebuck

D) The US Army

Answer · why

D) The US Army

During the Second World War the candies were sold only to the military, because the shell let soldiers carry chocolate in tropical heat. Demand forced...

Q 05/05

Which of these was NOT one of the original 1941 M&M's colours?

A) Red

B) Brown

C) Violet

D) Orange

Answer · why

D) Orange

The launch line-up was red, yellow, violet, green and brown. Violet gave way to tan in the late 1940s.