Haribo

In 1922, 29 year old German candy maker Hans Riegel introduced a revolutionary new product to candy fans in his native Bonn: the gummi bear. Influenced by Margarete Steiff's homage to US President Teddy Roosevelt, the famous Steiff teddy bear, Hans' Gummibären became synonymous with smiles on children's faces all over the world. His company Hans Riegel Bonn is still headquartered on the Rhine River close to Bonn, former capital of West Germany from 1949 – 1990, and run by his heirs. Besides the gummi bears, Haribo has also introduced well known sweet treats such as licorice snails (Lakritzschnecken) and marshmallow candies.