Marshmallow Peeps® History

1910 – Sam Born comes to U.S.
Sam Born, who grew up in Russia, immigrated to the United States from France. Born introduced “French Chocolates” to New York City.

1917 – Sam Born opens retail shop in New York City
Born opened a small retail candy store in New York. He displayed daily-made candy in his store window, marketing its freshness with a sign that declared, “just born.”

1923 – Sam Born starts his own manufacturing company
Born opened a small factory in Brooklyn, New York. Additionally, Born’s brothers-in-law, Irv and Jack Shaffer, joined the company shortly after the retail stored opened.

1932 – Just Born relocates to Bethlehem, PA
Just Born moved its operations to an empty printing factory in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

1953 – Just Born acquires the Rodda Candy Company
Just Born acquired Rodda Candy Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Although better known for its jellybean technology, Rodda also made a small line of marshmallow products that fascinated the Just Born family. A three-dimensional marshmallow Easter Peeps was made by hand-squeezing marshmallow through a pastry tube.

1954 – Just Born mechanized Peeps forming process
Bob Born, who joined the company in 1946, helped to mechanized the Marshmallow Peeps forming process. As a result, Just Born has become the world’s largest manufacturer of novelty marshmallow candy.

1960’s – Seasonal Marshmallow Products Introduced
Just Born produced marshmallow trees and snowmen for the Holiday season andpumpkins & cats for Halloween under the Rodda Candy brand name.

1978 – Born and Shaffer legacy continues
Cousins Ross Born and David Shaffer joined Just Born. After more than a decade of shared responsibility with their fathers, they became Just Born’s co-presidents.

1980’s – Peeps Giant Bunny Introduced
As the demand for Just Born's Peeps product increases so does its size. Peeps Giant Bunnies are now available.

1995 – Just Born introduces new color Peeps
A new color Peeps was born…Lavender! It was the fourth color added to the Easter lineup, which already included Yellow, Pink and White.

1998 – Just Born turned 75 and launched Blue Peeps
Blue Peeps were introduced to celebrate Just Born’s 75th Anniversary. Now there were five colors available during the Easter season (Yellow, Pink, Lavender, Blue and White).

1999 – Just Born rolls out first-ever flavored Peeps
The first-ever flavored Peeps were introduced – Vanilla Creme Eggs. Additionally, Peeps Jellybeans hit the shelves for the first year. Peeps also launched their first national television advertising campaign during the Easter season, as well as the Marshmallowpeeps.com website, and the Peeps Fan Club.

2000 – New packaging for Peeps is revealed
Marshmallow Peeps were marketed in new colorful packaging. All shapes for all seasons were called Marshmallow Peeps. Additionally, Strawberry Creme Hearts (for Valentine’s Day) and Eggs (for Easter) were launched.

2001 – New Peeps shapes & flavors are added
Peeps Vanilla Creme Snack-Size Ghosts were rolled out for the Halloween season – the perfect size for trick or treating! Additionally, Cookie Flavored Cutouts (for the Christmas Season) and Peeps Vanilla Creme Hearts (for Valentine’s Day) also hit the shelves.

2002 – Now Peeps are available all year long
Marshmallow Peeps Stars joined the Peeps family. With the introduction of Peeps Stars in 2002 for the Summer Holidays the candy was now available all year long! Additionally, Cocoa Bats, the first-ever cocoa flavored Peeps, joined the Peeps line for the Halloween season.

2003 – Marshmallow Peeps celebrates 50th Anniversary
Marshmallow Peeps celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a year full of festivities. This year includes: new advertising campaign for all five Peeps seasons; a Peeps float in the Macy’s Day Parade; launch of the Peeps Fun Bus Program; introduction of the Peeps Points Program; and the re-launch of Marshmallowpeeps.com.