Skip to content
Original Candy House
Time MachineCandy cornPeepsJolly RancherWhatchamacallitSee all: Candy A to ZCandy from before 1900Candy from the 1900sCandy from the 1910sCandy from the 1920sSee all: By decadeDiscontinued candyCandy that came backWhat happened to Necco?See all: DiscontinuedCandy barsChocolate candiesChewy candy and taffySee all: TypesCandy Time MachineWhich Came First?See all: Play

Chewy candy and taffy · 1900s

Tootsie Roll

A chewy chocolate candy somewhere between a caramel and a taffy. First made in 1907 by Leo Hirshfield, an Austrian immigrant, in New York City.

Still made 1907

By Original Candy House editors · Updated · How we check our facts

Tootsie RollSINCE1907STILL MADE
Our illustration, not the real wrapper.
First made1907
Made by thenLeo Hirshfield, an Austrian immigrant, in New York City
Made by nowTootsie Roll Industries, Chicago
StatusStill made
TypeChewy candy and taffy

What it is

A chewy chocolate candy somewhere between a caramel and a taffy.

The story

  • 1907: first made by Leo Hirshfield, an Austrian immigrant, in New York City.

Fun facts

  • Named after Hirshfield's daughter Clara, nicknamed "Tootsie".
  • First sold in September 1908.
  • More than 65 million are made every day.

Is Tootsie Roll still made?

Yes. Tootsie Roll is still made, by Tootsie Roll Industries, Chicago. Look for it at candy shops that stock old-fashioned candy, or search for Tootsie Roll on Amazon.

If you like Tootsie Roll

  • Bonomo Turkish Taffy (1912): A flat, chewy taffy bar.
  • Mary Jane (1914): Old-fashioned peanut butter and molasses taffy in a yellow wrapper with a red stripe.
  • Good & Plenty (1893): Little capsules of black licorice in a pink and white candy shell.
  • Abba-Zaba (1922): A chewy taffy bar with a peanut butter center, in a yellow and black checkerboard wrapper.

See every candy from the 1900s or all chewy candy and taffy.

Frequently asked questions

When did Tootsie Roll come out?

Tootsie Roll was first made in 1907, by Leo Hirshfield, an Austrian immigrant, in New York City.

Who makes Tootsie Roll now?

Tootsie Roll Industries, Chicago.

Is Tootsie Roll discontinued?

No. Tootsie Roll is still made by Tootsie Roll Industries, Chicago.

Questions and memories from readers

Remember Tootsie Roll, or have a question about it? Share it here. We add the best to this page.

Ask a question

We can’t reply privately. Useful questions get answered here on the page.

Sources

Checked October 22, 2026. Tootsie Roll is a trademark of its owner; this page is not connected to the maker. How we check our facts.

More candy from the same years

1900Clark's Teaberry gum Back on sale early 1900sNik-L-Nip wax bottles Still made 1901Sweethearts Back on sale