The Inventor of Cotton Candy was Actually a Dentist

Airy spun sugar, cotton candy—AKA Fairy floss—is a pink, fluffy cloud that kids’ dreams are made of. But who invented cotton candy?

Surprisingly, the inventor of cotton candy was actually a dentist! In 1897 William Morrison teamed up with Tennessee candy maker, John Wharton, to create the concoction. The duo premiered cotton candy in 1908 at the World’s Fair. The price was only 25 cents.

We know sweets are cruel on teeth, but just how bad is cotton candy for our smiles? Not as bad as one would expect. The sugary strings are mostly air. 1 ounce of cotton candy has 26 grams of sugar, compared to a candy apple and a funnel cake, which have 45 grams and 35 grams, respectively.

Enjoy the sweet treat, but remember to brush and floss after you indulge!