Skittles were first introduced in the early 1970s, with sources most consistently citing 1974 as the year they were first made in Britain before arriving in the U.S. market in 1979.
Key dates
- First made in Britain in 1974, according to multiple histories and overviews of the brand.
- Widely distributed in the United States starting in 1979 after initial UK release.
- Some references note introductions tied to an earlier 1971 date via Jack Candies as a distributor for Mars, but trademark and ad evidence point to 1974 as the operative launch year.
Context and origin
- Early advertising and trademark activity align with 1974: a 1974 animated ad is associated with Jack Candies Ltd., and the U.S. trademark for “Skittles” was granted in 1974.
- Overviews aimed at general audiences also summarize the origin as a British-made candy in 1974 later exported to North America in 1979.
Bottom line
- If a single year is needed, 1974 is the most consistently documented year of invention/first manufacture, with U.S. debut in 1979.
