As per Mental Floss, in the year 1884, a sweet-tooth innovator Charles H. Miller tried his hand in making sweet confections. Just like any other contemporary business men during his time, he had a shortage in capital when he just starting his business. Therefore, he could not afford a store or a warehouse. So, he came up with an idea that he would work and make candies in his own Boston kitchen. His three sons were his aid. For thirty years, he has handcrafted candies in his home, when one of his sons, Charles N. Miller, came up with the perfect recipe for a candy that would put their family name in the history. A sultry concoction of molasses and peanut butter to be famously known as Mary Jane were sold out to stores as penny candies which started in 1914. Their company boomed after the market was flooded by these cheap sweet treats. Hence, the catchphrase for sweet-tooths "use your change for Mary Jane".
The choice for their products name was still an enigma. Their company claimed it was to honor Miller's favorite aunt named Mary Jane. Some contested as to the story to be a lie. Some suggested that it was a free advertisement ride from the popular comic strip Buster Brown with the character Mary Jane. There is no factual evidence however for these claims.
The molasses bites were wrapped in yellow wax paper wearing one red stripe, and highlighted a little young lady named Mary Jane. In spite of 100 years underway, the outside (and inside) of Mary Jane confections has remained practically the same as when Miller initially devised the treat over a century prior, aside from claim to fame releases like full-sized Mary Jane bars, some secured in chocolate, and the infrequent Halloween mix. Up until now these candies are still being produced by a company called NECCO, continuing the story of sweet Mary Jane.
