Haribo Gummy Bears

Haribo's rhyming slogan, which originated in the 1930s, reads "Haribo mach Kinder froh, und Erwachsene ebenso" -- or "Kids and Grown-ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo," as the slogan for the English speakers goes. Click for a look at sweet little gummy candies that were born 85 years ago this month in Bonn, Germany and are now enjoyed -- by kids and grown-ups -- around the world.

The very first Haribo gummy bear was created in 1922. A bit taller and thinner than today's bear, it was modeled after the dancing bear. (From the Middle Ages through the last century, street performers kept brown bears, forcing them to entertain crowds by pulling on a chain attached to a ring in their nose.) Some three decades later, the popular dancing bear became a bit smaller and thicker, resembling a teddy bear. Today's version entered the market in the late 1960s.

Hans Riegel, pictured here, is the son of Haribo's founder with the same name. (By the way, the name Haribo is a combination of the founder's name and city: HAns RIegel BOnn.) Hans Riegel Jr. built up the company, together with his brother, after his release as a prisoner-of-war in 1946. During the war, resources were scarce and the market for luxurious sweets was weak and production was suspended.

Haribo headquarters are located in the western German city of Bonn, the former capital, where the company was founded in 1920. The factory is not open for tours, but there is an outlet store with all kinds of gummy products.

While gummy bears are childhood staples in Europe and the Americas, aversion to the pork-based gelatin that gives the candy its trademark rubbery texture has long ruled them out in regions where religious law governs the daily diet.

Knut the polar bear is so cute, you could just eat him right up! Well, for a while you could. Shortly after the polar bear baby's mother abandoned him the Bonn-based gummi bear company added a new bear to their collection and began production of "Knuddle Knut'sch" -- a play on Knut's name that roughly means "cuddly kiss." Haribo recently announced that they would be discontinuing the edible Knuts, now that the little guy has grown up so quickly that he even needs to be put on a diet.

Thomas Gottschalk (right), Germany's acclaimed talk show host and television personality, serves as Haribo's spokesperson.

Thomas Gottschalk made an appearance at Cologne's famous Sweets and Buiscuits Fair this year. What is he made of? You guessed it -- gummy bears!

Do you like gummy bears? Write us and let us know.