Heath

And the man behind the brand is...
Lawrence Heath

Lawrence Heath was different from most of America’s candy pioneers. He came to candy bars late in life, after a career as a schoolteacher and principal. In 1914, at the age of 45, Heath opened a small confectionery on the west side of the public square in Robinson, Illinois. With his sons Heath sold fountain drinks, ice cream and a distinctive English toffee he cooked in his kitchen in the back room of the shop.

In 1932, at the height of the Depression, Heath decided to package his toffee in individual candy bars. At the time most 5¢ candy bars were 4 ounces, a full quarter pound. Heath’s toffee molded in milk chocolate also sold for a nickel but was only a one-ounce bar. The Heath Bar was popularly known as the “H and H” bar. Heath had selected a logo with bookend capital “Hs” and a small “e-a-t.” People assumed the “e-a-t” was an admonishment to try the “H and H bar.”

However the candy was known it soon became apparent Americans had a taste for the English toffee. The demand for the Heath Bar soon exceeded the capacity of the tiny shop. Lawrence Heath clearly spent more time making his candy than eating it; he lived to be 87 and seldom weighed more than 105 pounds.