Nerds

What it is

Tiny, crunchy, tangy pebbles of candy, usually two flavors in one box with two lids.

The story

• 1982: first made by Sunmark's Willy Wonka Candy division (marketing manager Angelo Fraggos).

Fun facts

• Launched in 1982 and sold nationwide from 1984.
• Named Candy of the Year by the National Candy Wholesalers Association in 1985.
• Nerds Gummy Clusters (2020) went viral and now make up most of the brand's sales.

Are Nerds still made?

Yes. Nerds are still made, by Ferrara Candy Company (Ferrero). Look for it at candy shops that stock old-fashioned candy, or search for Nerds on Amazon.

If you like Nerds

• Runts (1982): Fruit-shaped hard-shell candies with a tangy, chalky center, a lot like SweeTarts.
• Everlasting Gobstopper (1976): A hard jawbreaker made of layers that change color and flavor as you suck on it.
• Life Savers Holes (early 1990s): The little discs punched out of the middle of Life Savers, sold in a flip-top tube.
• Bottle Caps (1972): Tangy pressed candies shaped like soda bottle caps: grape, cola, orange, root beer and cherry.

See every candy from the 1980s or all hard and tangy candy.