New England Confectionary Company (NECCO)

In 1847 Oliver R. Chase of Boston invented a candy machine called the lozenge cutter. Along with his brother, Silas Edwin Chase, they founded Chase and Company, which later became one of the companies that merged to form the New England Confectionary Company (NECCO). NECCO is considered the oldest continuously operating candy company in America. One of its earliest products was “Conversation Hearts,” pastel‑colored sugar hearts with romantic mottos printed on them. NECCO renamed them “Sweethearts” in 1902, when they became associated with Valentine’s Day. Today it remains the single most popular Valentine’s Day candy.