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Curated by: Philip Mershon (110 videos)
Welcome to the Mid Century Vault! Today, we’re peeling back the wrapper on Pop Rocks, the iconic crackling candy. We trace it back to an accidental invention by William Mitchell (the same genius who invented Tang!), and explore how this strange, fizzy treat became a half-billion-dollar sensation overnight. But the real story is the catastrophic urban legend—The Mikey Rumor—that cost General Foods millions and ultimately forced the candy off the shelves. Join Philip Mershon as he uncovers the fascinating business and science story: Inventor William A. Mitchell's attempt to create a self-carbonating soft drink in 1956. The two decades Pop Rocks sat dormant before the 1976 launch. The incredible demand and success of the pressurized CO2 formula. How General Foods fought the rumor about Mikey from the Life Cereal ad—and why they lost. The staggering loss of $30–$40 million and the 300 million pouches buried in landfills. The comeback: who owns and manufactures Pop Rocks today? If you'd like to further support my work, here's my buy me a coffee link: https://coff.ee/philipmershon For more Mid Century Vault adventures, just go here: https://www.youtube.com/user/philipmershon New episodes release every Friday and Sunday. If I could ask, please watch videos to the end, this really helps as much as liking and commenting, which, of course, helps like crazy. Be sure to subscribe and become part of our new community, thanks! #poprocks #helikesitheymikey #midcenturycandy #nostalgia