Peeps

The R.E. Rodda Candy Company (347 Church Street, Lancaster PA) was founded in 1908, capitalized at $300,000 by financiers from Baltimore, New York, Cincinnati and several Pennsylvania cities.“A New Industry: The R. E. Rodda Company Will Begin with 100 Employees.” Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, 22 August 1908, 1. Roscoe E. Rodda (1862-1941), a Board of Directors member and its first president, had previously managed candy manufacture in Detroit and Cincinnati. By 1915 the firm was shipping high-quality products nationwide and to South America and Europe.“Rodda Secures the Controlling Interest in Headley Company.” Lancaster (PA) Examiner, 22 December 1915, 8.

By the 1930s-40s, its products had included chocolates, hard candies, jelly beans and “jelly eggs.” It is uncertain when manufacture of marshmallow items began, but by 1948—and previous to any association of the product with Sam Born or Just Born—Pennsylvania retailers were selling “Rodda marshmallow peeps” “Shuman’s Cut Rate Store—With Everything For Easter.” Gettysburg Times, 12 March 1948, 2 (Rodda Marshmallow Peeps”) or “Rodda Easter peeps.”“Grand Union is Tops at Keeping Prices Low” (advertisement). The Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, PA), 3 April 1952, 18 (“Rodda Easter Peeps”).“A&P Super Markets” (advertisement). The Express (Lock Haven, PA), 10 April 1952, 15 (“Rodda Peeps—sugar coated marshmallow ‘peeps’”).

Though Just Born took over manufacture in 1953 and developed speedy, mechanized production, the product was retailed nationally for decades in the U.S. as “Rodda Marshmallow Peeps” or “Rodda Easter Peeps,” retaining the Rodda name into the mid-1990s.“Tinker’s Bigg and Little” (advertisement, Stockton (CA) Record, 8 April 1963, 24 (“Rodda Easter Peeps—Candy Bunnies and Chicks”).“Gibson’s Discount Center” (advertisement). The Sunday News and Tribune (Jefferson City, MO), 22 March 1970, 12 (“Rodda Marshmallow Peeps and Rabbits”).“Eckerd Easter Savings” (advertisement). Galveston Daily News, 15 April 1981, 10 (“Rodda Peeps or Bunnies”).“Bargains in Bloom” (Valu-Rite Pharmacy advertisement). Indiana (PA) Gazette, 27 March 1996, 11 (“Rodda© Marshmallow Peeps and Bunnies”).

File:Just Born building, Bethlehem, PA.jpg

Peeps are presently produced by Just Born,{{cite web |author=Lehner, Marla |title=The Power of Peeps |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/the-power-of-peeps |work=Fox News |date=2003-04-17 |access-date=2009-04-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090305185448/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C84455%2C00.html |archive-date=2009-03-05 }} a candy manufacturer founded in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by an immigrant from Vinnitsa in the Russian Empire (now in Ukraine), Sam Born (1891–1959).

In 1953, Just Born acquired the Rodda Candy Company and its marshmallow chick line. Sam's son, Bob Born, replaced the painstaking process of hand-forming the chicks with mass production in 1954.{{cite news |last1=Dupzyk |first1=Kevin |others=Photographs by Christopher Payne |title=A Visit to the Peeps Factory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/magazine/peeps-factory.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 6, 2023 |quote=That all changed in 1954. That’s when Bob Born, who was a member of the family that founded the company, and a colleague invented a machine that could make Peeps automatically.}}{{cite news|title=Peeps: A candy and a technological wonder |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-04-16-peeps_x.htm |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=USA Today |date=2003-04-16 |access-date=2009-04-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401094214/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-04-16-peeps_x.htm |archive-date=2010-04-01 }} When founder Sam Born displayed a sign for his freshly made candy, he titled it "Just Born", playing off of his last name and the fact that he made his candy fresh daily.{{Cite web|url=http://www.justborn.com/just-for-fun/fun-facts|title=Fun Facts About Just Born Candies|date=28 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128153913/http://www.justborn.com/just-for-fun/fun-facts|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=2014-01-28}} According to Mary Bellis, the newly purchased company, Just Born, was soon the "largest marshmallow candy manufacturer in the world."

Just Born began producing other shapes in the 1960s, following seasonal themes. Twenty years later, the Marshmallow Peeps Bunny was released as a popular year-round shape of the candy.{{cite web|url=http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/marshmallows_2.htm|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120427200713/http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/marshmallows_2.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 April 2012|title=The History of Marshmallows|website=Inventors.about.com|access-date=21 November 2021}} The yellow chicks were the original form of the candy — hence their name — but then the company introduced other colors and, eventually, the myriad shapes that are now produced. Peeps were manufactured in different colors, such as lavender starting in 1995 and blue in 1998. Prior to that, they were only being produced in the traditional colors: yellow, pink and white. New flavors such as vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate were introduced between the years of 1999 and 2002.

File:Peeps Fun Bus.jpg

In 2003, the Peeps Fun Bus conducted a tour across the country to promote the brand. The tour included giveaways and games and was decorated with a giant Peep on the top of the bus.{{Cite web |date=2004-03-24 |title=Peeps fun bus |url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/article/Peeps-fun-bus-9758914.php |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Chron |language=en}}

In 2009, Just Born expanded the Peeps product line further by introducing Peeps Lip Balm in four flavors: grape, strawberry, vanilla, and cotton candy.{{cite web

|author=Zimmer, Erin

|title=Peeps Lip Balm, Reviewed

|website = Serious Eats

|date=April 2, 2009

|url=http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/04/peeps-lip-balm-reviewed.html

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405062416/http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/04/peeps-lip-balm-reviewed.html

|archive-date=April 5, 2009

|access-date=April 5, 2009

}} Just Born has come out with several other various accessories. Items such as nail polish, wrist bands, umbrellas, plush toys, golf gloves, earrings, and necklaces are produced and sold online and in retail stores. Other companies have produced items based on the popular Peeps candy. Peeps micro bead pillows were made by Kaboodle and conform to one's shape. The company Kaboodle promises that "they'll last a lot longer than their edible counterpart!"{{Cite web|url=http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/large-peeps-microbead-pillows|title=Large Peeps® Microbead Pillows | Shop | Kaboodle|date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109193534/http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/large-peeps-microbead-pillows|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=2014-01-09}} Ranging from infant sizes to adult sizes, Peeps Halloween costumes can also be found on the shelves of several costume stores. The first Peeps & Co. store opened in November 2009 in National Harbor, Maryland, Prince George's County.{{cite news|author=Mui, Ylan Q. |title=Peeps Are Hopping to Their Own Store at National Harbor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070803978.html?hpid=artslot |work=WashingtonPost.com |date=July 9, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112053013/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070803978.html?hpid=artslot |archive-date=November 12, 2012 }} Peeps & Company retail stores were later opened in Minnesota (as of 2019, shut down due to low profits) and Pennsylvania.{{Cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/the-history-of-peeps|title=The history of Peeps|date=21 November 2016|website=Foxnews.com|access-date=21 November 2021}} In 2014, Peeps Minis were introduced, and were intended to be available year-round.

In 2023, Bob Born, a son of the Just Born founder, died at age 98. He was known as the "Father of Peeps" for automating the production of Peeps.{{cite news |title=Bob Born, the 'Father of Peeps' and Hot Tamale candies, has died |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/01/31/1152833849/bob-born-dies-father-of-peeps-hot-tamales-just-born-quality-confections |newspaper=The Associated Press |date=January 31, 2023}}

Image:Orange peeps.jpg Peeps]]

A "Peeps Eating" contest is held each year at National Harbor in front of the Peeps & Company store.{{cite web|url=http://patch.com/virginia/oldtownalexandria/world-peeps-eating-contest-saturday-national-harbor |title=World Peeps-Eating Contest Saturday at National Harbor |date=30 March 2016 |access-date=2017-02-13 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214103358/http://patch.com/virginia/oldtownalexandria/world-peeps-eating-contest-saturday-national-harbor |archive-date=2017-02-14 }} The 2017 winner, Matt Stonie of California, ate 255 Peeps in five minutes.{{cite news|last1=Reiss |first1=Jaclyn |title=This man ate a record 255 Peeps in 5 minutes – The Boston Globe |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2017/04/09/this-man-ate-record-peeps-minutes/xNd2fmr8sh2H8qz8d1IxlJ/story.html |access-date=13 April 2017 |work=BostonGlobe.com |date=10 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516155837/https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2017/04/09/this-man-ate-record-peeps-minutes/xNd2fmr8sh2H8qz8d1IxlJ/story.html |archive-date=16 May 2017 }} The first such event was arranged by Shawn Sparks in 1994, and had only six participants.{{cite web |url=http://peep.peril.org/peepoff.html |title=The unofficial Marshmallow Peep page |access-date=2007-07-09 |author=Jack Eidsness |date=April 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070617052855/http://peep.peril.org/peepoff.html |archive-date=2007-06-17 |url-status=dead }}{{dubious|date=November 2010}} Dave Smith started an annual Peep Off in Sacramento after contacting a participant in the first Peep Off.{{cite news

|author=Vincent P. Bzdek

|title=50 years of turning Easter into one big Peeps show

|url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20040411/ai_n14573992/print

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102220644/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20040411/ai_n14573992/print

|url-status=dead

|archive-date=2 November 2007

|publisher=Oakland Tribune (reprinted from [Washington Post article])

|date=11 April 2004

|access-date=2007-08-09

}}[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-11-la-na-peeps11-2009dec11-story.html First Peeps store is a mecca for all their 'peeple'], Los Angeles Times, December 11, 2009 Another contest in Maryland asks that participants create a diorama of a culturally important scene from the modern era, featuring a number of Peeps. The winner gets two free inflatable life jackets.{{Cite web |url=http://bayweekly.com/articles/creature-feature/article/peeps-madness |title=Peeps Madness | Bay Weekly |access-date=2014-01-09 |archive-date=2014-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109190611/http://bayweekly.com/articles/creature-feature/article/peeps-madness |url-status=dead }}

File:He_PEEPS_you_when_you're_sleeping.jpg

Several newspapers hold annual contests in which readers submit photos of dioramas featuring Peeps. The St. Paul Pioneer Press was the first paper to hold such a contest.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}} Similar contests are put on by The Chicago Tribune, and the Seattle Times. These contests frequently correspond with the Easter holiday. MIT also has a yearly Peeps contest.{{Cite web|url=http://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2010/05/18/peeps/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129113022/http://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2010/05/18/peeps/|url-status=dead|title=Alum.mit.edu|archive-date=29 November 2010|access-date=21 November 2021}} The Washington Post held an annual contest until 2017, when it was discontinued. The smaller Washington City Paper introduced their contest in its place.

The Racine Art Museum holds the Annual International Peeps Art Exhibition each April.Koman, Tess. [https://www.delish.com/food/a35853574/racine-art-museum-peep-show/ "Why a Renowned Wisconsin Museum Hosts a Giant Peeps Art Contest Every Year"], Delish, March 25, 2021. Anyone can enter the contest, centered on the theme "peep-powered work of art".{{Cite web|url=https://stories.zagat.com/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325141410/http://www.zagat.com/buzz/its-peeps-art-time|url-status=dead|title=Zagat Stories|archivedate=25 March 2011|access-date=21 November 2021}}

The following are other contests held in various states. Peeps jousting consists of putting two Marshmallow Chicks into the microwave and seeing which one gets the biggest and therefore affects/deforms the other. "Peepza" is a dessert pizza made with Peeps. Also, blogs were created according to Fox News entitled "101 Fun Ways to Torture a Peep."

Peeps are sometimes jokingly described as "indestructible". In 1999 scientists at Emory University jokingly{{cite web|url=http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/erarchive/1999/March/ermarch.29/3_29_99peeps.html |title=Emory pair unlocks the mystery of Peeps |publisher=Emory University |work=Emory Report |date=1999-03-29 |access-date=2012-07-02 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403052129/http://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/erarchive/1999/March/ermarch.29/3_29_99peeps.html |archive-date=2013-04-03 }} performed experiments on batches of Peeps to see how easily they could be dissolved, burned or otherwise disintegrated, using such agents as cigarette smoke, boiling water and liquid nitrogen.{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Peeps-Rule-Roost-Easter-s-unofficial-2938583.php |title=Peeps Rule Roost / Easter's unofficial marshmallow treat now a chic and easy target to spoof |last=Severson |first=Kim |date=April 3, 1999 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=2013-03-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506144628/http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Peeps-Rule-Roost-Easter-s-unofficial-2938583.php |archive-date=May 6, 2013 }} In addition to discussing whether Peeps migrate or evolve, they claimed that the eyes of the confectionery "wouldn't dissolve in anything".{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/991011/archive_002077.htm |title=What Do You Call a Guy Who Cuts Apart Peeps? |date=October 3, 1999 |work=U S News |access-date=2009-03-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413144504/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/991011/archive_002077.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2009 }} One website claims that Peeps are insoluble in acetone, water, diluted sulfuric acid, and sodium hydroxide (the site also claims that the Peeps experimental subjects sign release forms).{{cite web |url=http://www.peepresearch.org/solubility.html |title=solubility |publisher=Peepresearch.org |access-date=2010-10-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126065219/http://peepresearch.org/solubility.html |archive-date=2010-11-26 }} Concentrated sulfuric acid seems to have effects similar to the expected effects of sulfuric acid on sugar.{{cite web |url= http://students.millikin.edu/~acs/HTML/peep_revenge.html |title= Peep Wars: Revenge of the Mole |publisher= Students.millikin.edu |date= 2005-10-23 |access-date= 2010-10-25 |archive-date= 2010-05-07 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100507051407/http://students.millikin.edu/~acs/HTML/peep_revenge.html |url-status= dead }}

This debate featured in an episode of the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle ("Traffic Jam"), in which Francis, insisting the "Quacks" (as they were called) would dissolve in his stomach rather than expand, takes up the dare to eat 100 of them and does so, but gets very sick in the process.

When exposed to air, marshmallow dehydrates and becomes "stale" and slightly crunchy. According to Just Born, 25%–30% of their customers prefer eating Peeps stale.

{{cite web

|last1=Bratskeir

|first1=Kate

|title=Here Are The Answers To Every Question You've Never Asked About Marshmallow Peeps

|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/18/marshmallow-peeps-easter-facts_n_5147153.html

|website=Huffington Post

|date=18 April 2014

|access-date=8 July 2014

|url-status=live

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716052724/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/18/marshmallow-peeps-easter-facts_n_5147153.html

|archive-date=16 July 2014

}}

Barry Church, a football player for the Dallas Cowboys, was unable to attend training camp due to an unexpected root canal caused by eating Jolly Ranchers. Just Born offered Church a season's supply of their product—in that marshmallows are a lot softer on the teeth.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/9529318/barry-church-dallas-cowboys-gets-candy-offer|title=Sweet tooth: Church to accept candy offer|date=1 August 2013|website=ESPN.com|access-date=21 November 2021}}

File:Coconut cake garnished with Peeps candy.jpg garnished with Peeps candy]]

Several recipes and creative ideas to alter Peeps have been invented. Fox News Magazine published an article in 2013 including several recipes from various creators, including Peeps smores, Peeps pancakes, home-made chocolate covered Peeps, Peeps marshmallow chocolate chip cookies, Peeps brownies, Peeps popcorn, Peeps frosting, Peeps Krispie Treats, and Peeps syrup.{{Cite web|url=http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/8-easter-recipes-call-peeps|title=8 Recipes To Make With Peeps This Easter|date=9 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109191203/http://magazine.foxnews.com/food-wellness/8-easter-recipes-call-peeps|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=2014-01-09}}

Peeps can also be used as a marshmallow topper for hot chocolate.{{Cite news|url=https://foodchannel.com/recipes/homemade-hot-cocoa-marshmallow-peeps|title=Homemade Hot Cocoa with PEEPS®|date=2016-03-17|work=Food Channel|access-date=2018-04-02|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403051955/https://foodchannel.com/recipes/homemade-hot-cocoa-marshmallow-peeps|archive-date=2018-04-03|url-status=dead}}

A recipe for "Peepshi" involves placing a Peep onto a Rice Krispie Treat and wrapping it in a Fruit by the Foot, to create a single "Peepshi roll" in the style of a sushi roll.{{cite web|url=http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/03/peeps-recipes-how-to-make-peepshi-sushi-rice-krispies-treats-easter.html|title=Peepshi: The Next Generation|website=Seriouseats.com|access-date=21 November 2021}}

In April 2017, several internet and Twitter postings, and TV news stories claimed 'outrage' that Peeps were being used as a pizza topping.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewed.com/home-outdoors/news/someone-put-peeps-on-pizza-and-the-internet-is-freaking-out|title=Peeps + pizza = 'Peepza' — Is this disgusting or delicious?|website=Reviewed.com|access-date=21 November 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/04/05/the-internet-is-losing-it-over-peepza-peeps-on-a-pizza/|title=The Internet Is Losing It Over 'Peepza': Peeps On A Pizza|date=5 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521172431/http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2017/04/05/the-internet-is-losing-it-over-peepza-peeps-on-a-pizza/|access-date=21 November 2021|archive-date=2017-05-21}}

In March 2021, Just Born and Pepsico (maker of Pepsi products) announced a "limited edition" of "Peeps marshmallow cola" soft drinks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.justborn.com/uncategorized/2021/pepsi-drops-limited-edition-pepsi-x-peeps-marshmallow-cola-for-spring/|title=PEPSI Drops Limited-Edition PEPSI® x PEEPS® Marshmallow Cola for Spring|website=Justborn.com|date=25 March 2021|access-date=21 November 2021}}

On April 22, 2014, Adam Rifkin acquired the feature film and TV rights to the classic candies to make a franchise of it.{{cite news|title=Adam Rifkin Eyes 'Peeps' Classic Candy Treats For Animated Film & TV Franchise |url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/peeps-candy-movie-tv-adam-rifkin-718333/ |access-date=23 April 2014 |newspaper=Deadline Hollywood |date=22 April 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425200540/http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/peeps-candy-movie-tv-adam-rifkin/ |archive-date=25 April 2014 }} Then, on April 5, 2021, it was announced that Wonder Street has acquired the rights to the candies with David Goldblum writing and producing alongside Christine and Mark Holder. The film's plot centered around a ragtag group of Peeps characters who set out on a cross-country journey in order to attend Peepsfest, an annual brand celebration in Pennsylvania.{{cite web|title=Animated Movie Based On Peeps Candy In The Works From Wonder Street|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/animated-movie-based-on-peeps-candy-in-the-works-from-wonder-street-1234728095/|access-date=6 April 2021 |website=Deadline Hollywood|date=6 April 2021}}

• List of confectionery brands

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.marshmallowpeeps.org/pcn.html Tour of the Peeps Factory] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129122644/http://marshmallowpeeps.org/pcn.html |date=2022-01-29 }}
• [http://www.peepresearch.org Peep Research]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180805013919/http://powerofthepeep.com/ Peeps Documentary]
• [http://www.salon.com/food/eyewitness_cook/index.html?story=/food/francis_lam/2010/04/03/toasted_peeps_brulee_recipe Peeps brûlée! Like toasted marshmallows, but more awesome] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405010453/http://www.salon.com/food/eyewitness_cook/index.html?story=%2Ffood%2Ffrancis_lam%2F2010%2F04%2F03%2Ftoasted_peeps_brulee_recipe |date=2010-04-05 }}, Salon.com
• [http://www.slate.com/id/2098422 Why Eat Peeps at Easter? How the marshmallow chicks found Jesus.], Slate.com

{{Just Born }}

Category:Products introduced in 1953

Category:Brand name confectionery

Category:Easter food

Category:Just Born brands

Category:Marshmallows