The word "jawbreaker" first appeared in the English language in 1839 and was defined as “a hard to pronounce word.” Gobstoppers became known as jawbreakers when the Ferrara Pan Candy Company released their version of the candy in 1919.

Who made the first jawbreaker?

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, numerous candy companies sold a jawbreaker-esque candy. However, it was Ferrara Pan, based in Forest Park, Illinois, that launched the jawbreaker to success!

Why is it called a jawbreaker?

The term gobstopper derives from "gob", which is slang in the United Kingdom and Ireland for mouth. ... Gobstoppers are too hard to bite without risking dental damage (hence the name "jawbreaker"). Gobstoppers have been sold in traditional sweet shops for at least a century, often sold by weight from jars.