Research Paper/ Poem

Evva Lopez

Mr. Skipper

Encounters 7

May 1, 2024 

The Chocolate Dream

Introduction

All around the world, there exist different types of chocolates, like White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and Cocoa Powder. Among many of the chocolate creators for these chocolates, Milton Hershey has brought the most significant change to chocolate today. Although he became a great chocolate maker, Hershey failed twice before successfully starting the Hershey Chocolate Company. Soon after his company was a success, Milton Hershey began producing his famous milk chocolate that was discovered using a specific formula. Not only did Milton create a renowned chocolate company, but also established a place for his employees. This “model town” of his changed how companies thought about their employees. By building this model town, Hershey created a comfortable living environment for his employees, providing the necessities to live without having any worries. Without Milton Hershey, there would not be hard-working employees or a great American chocolate bar.

Early life  

Despite having a difficult childhood, Milton Hershey grew up to be a person who changed the history of chocolate forever. Milton Hershey was born in Derry Township on September 13, 1857. Milton's parents were Fanny Snavely Hershey and Henry Hershey. Most of Milton Hershey’s childhood consisted of him trailing his father, who always “had his eye out for the next big opportunity” (Milton Hershey Biography). While Milton's father was a dreamer, Fanny, Milton's mother, was quite different and didn't show enthusiasm for Milton's education (Stanwick). Therefore, after a few years, Henry Hershey decided to sell the farm due to their poor status and the debt they owed. From there, Henry and his family moved to Oil City, Pennsylvania. Due to constant moving, Milton had an “irregular education” (Milton Snavely Hershey). When two years passed, Milton’s father decided to get Milton a job, but unfortunately, Milton later got fired after strongly disliking the work. Milton's aunt then decided to get Milton a job at Royers Ice Cream Parlor. After working there for a while, Milton’s mother convinced Joseph Royer to teach Milton how to make candy. While working under Joseph Royer, Milton learned about candy-making after Fanny, Milton's mother,  saw how Milton could have natural talent; from then on, Milton learned the basics of candy-making. 

Beginning of Career

Milton Hershey is known as a great chocolate maker, but he didn't get this fame overnight and had to work hard to achieve what he did. Milton’s first candy shop was successfully opened on June 1 on Philadelphia Spring Garden Street for the Philadelphia Centennial International Exhibition (Stanwick). As Milton did get a lot of competition from many other candy shops opening up, he came up with a very creative way to acquire customers. This included installing an air chute for the air to be carried outside, this allowed customers to smell the delicious scent coming from his shop. For five long years, Hershey “poured his sweat and time” into the business. But success soon eluded him (Milton Hershey Biography). Milton Hershey later started a second business after his first business failed. While building up his second business, Milton’s experience at the local confectioner helped him learn a formula for making caramels with fresh milk, which would greatly help in the future. Although the second business was a success initially, it quickly became “plagued with cash flow problems” and later failed by 1886 (Milton Snavely Hershey). Luckily, these problems did not stop Milton from going to Lancaster and attempting to establish a company. Even so, Milton ran into cash problems again due to his lack of education. Because of this problem, Hershey hired William Lebkicher, a young businessman, to work beside him. In 1886, Milton Hershey asked for a money loan from his relatives but was rejected. They regarded him as they did his father, “a black sheep” (Stanwick). While his father was an outcast and a failure,  Hershey was determined to make a success out of a new business, and soon, William Lebkicher and his aunt Mattie helped Hershey with production and finance. Not long after this, Milton created and sold his “Crystal A” caramels, “a melt-in-your-mouth” candy with fresh milk (Milton Snavely Hershey). “Success soon followed”, and within a few short years, Hershey had acquired a wealthy business known as the Lancaster Caramel Company (Milton Hershey Biography). As Milton Hershey’s love for chocolate grew, he decided to sell the Lancaster Caramel Company and instead began his official company, the Hershey Chocolate Company. After this decision, Hershey’s knowledge of chocolate expanded, and he soon started producing many chocolates.

Significant Accomplishments

Throughout Milton Hershey’s life, there were many achievements he had carried out. Achievements such as creating a well-known chocolate business. He was also known as a man of the people. After Hershey began the Hershey Chocolate Company, many of his experiences led him to create fascinating chocolate products, like the Hershey Kiss in 1907. They later added the “trademark foil wrapper” in 1924 (Milton Hershey Biography). As Hershey’s wealth and business began expanding, he realized his workers and staff needed a place to stay, while organizing his thoughts, Milton thought it was best to build a model community; Milton believed comfortable living environments would “make better workers” (Milton Hershey). When Milton had his plans ready for the new community, he got help from Henry Harry N. Herr to construct the town. Soon after the town was built, Milton Hershey began adding public schools, churches, hotels, parks, a zoo, etc. While creating these, many people doubted his intentions. For example, Hershey’s idea of a cooperative store was disliked because people thought they would be “cheated” like other “company towns'' (Milton Snavely Hershey). Although Hershey made a few mistakes while managing his company, he genuinely cared for his workers' well-being. After these problems were resolved, Milton Hershey’s town was later known as the town of Hershey, and a few years later, after learning that Kitty, Milton’s wife, could not bear children, he decided to establish a Hershey Industrial school in 1909 for male orphans. This school allowed the children to receive a quality education, allowing Milton to give the boys something he had never had in his childhood. As both Milton Hershey and Kitty provided for the boys, they soon came to think of them as family. Unfortunately, in 1918, Kitty died, and not long after, Milton donated his fortune and ownership to the Hershey Company.  Gradually, the school grew larger; currently, it has over 2,000 girls and boys. 

Impact on the World

Without Hershey, chocolate wouldn't be as modern as it is today. While improving his business he successfully created milk chocolate that could be stored for months. This was possible by condensing the milk instead of using powder, not only was this better, but it was also cheap. By making this, many people worldwide quickly benefited from its long-lasting, rich flavor. This soon came to become an incredible discovery for chocolate companies and many people. Not only has Milton created outstanding chocolate bars, but his company also produced things like cocoa powder and chocolate cigars. These sweet treats soon became “100 varieties of vanilla sweet chocolate originals” (Milton Snavely Hershey). Other than creating chocolates, Hershey also established the now-named Milton Hershey School, which helped over 2,000 boys and girls learn skills that would benefit them in their lives. Before his death, Milton gave his entire fortune to the school “to ensure its continued success”, surprising many people (Milton Hershey). After Milton Hershey’s death, the Hershey company obtained the H. B Reeses candy company, which later became famous as it quickly produced many delicious chocolates. Today, the Reeses Candy Company remains “the top-selling candy brand in the U.S.” (Stanwick). Years later, the chocolate business is still one of the most famous chocolate companies that has changed the way of the world.

Lessons Learned From Their Life

Throughout Milton’s business life, he was known to possess outstanding traits that were later admired by countless people. As his business began to grow, his curiosity for chocolate grew. When establishing the Hershey Chocolate Company, Milton’s desire for knowledge helped him succeed in creating new products. Although this was a great asset, if not for his significant intelligence, would he ever choose great people to work alongside him. With assistance from William Lebckicher, Hershey could dodge cash problems that came his way. And while this was true, the chocolate company he created today wouldn't have been where it is without his pure determination to pursue his dream. Milton's courage and willpower to succeed greatly influenced many young people studying to be business owners. Through the hard times when establishing his business, Milton Hershey has been an example of how all exceptional achievements never begin as something perfect. While someone can feel hopeless sometimes, as Hershey demonstrated, there is a great outcome when you never give up on your goal. And because of his generosity, many people have learned how one kind action can cause a significant change in your life. While Milton Hershey passed away in 1945, his actions were still enough to be seen as an inspiration to others. Although faced with difficulties, Milton never once thought about giving up.

Works Cited

“Milton Hershey Biography.” Biography, A&E Television Networks, 13 Sep 2022, www.biography.com/business-leaders/milton-hershey.

“Milton Hershey.” Hershey,  The Hershey Company, 2023, www.thehersheycompany.com/en_us/home/about-us/milton-hershey.html.  

“Milton Snavely Hershey, 1857-1945.” Hershey Community Archives, 6 Sep 2018,  hersheyarchives.org/encyclopedia/hershey-milton-snavely-1857-1945/.

Stanwick, Dave. “Milton Hershey: Chocolate King, Confectioner, and Creator.” The American Business History Center, 9 Jul 2020, americanbusinesshistory.org/milton-hershey-chocolate-king-confectioner-and-creator/.