In 1924, I.C. Bahr, sales manager for the Akron Candy Company, came up with the name "Dum-Dums" for the brand’s lollipops because he thought it would be easiest for kids to remember.

In 1953, Spangler Candy acquired the brand and moved operations to Bryan, Ohio. The iconic suckers have been produced their ever since. 

Spangler wanted a promotional campaign for its new product. The company introduced a program where children could mail in wrappers (and some change) and get various toys and prizes. The first "Dum-Dums Wastebasket Deal" began 67 years ago in May, 1953.

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For 15 cents and 15 wrappers, participants received a rubber baseball and a metal wastebasket. The deal expanded to include basketballs, footballs and non-sports items like toy cars, maps, binoculars and flying saucers.

The initial run of the program ended in the 1980s but has been recreated twice since. In the early 2000s, mail-in prizes included stickers and T-shirts. By 2016, the campaign moved to the internet. A special code on each lollipop wrapper could be entered online. Users would then complete games and challenges to collect points which could be redeemed for prizes.

Spangler Candy Co. spokeswoman Diana Eschhofen told CNN, "We're ending the program to make way for new products and promotions from Dum-Dums. For example, this summer regular bags of Dum-Dums will include two limited edition Hawaiian Punch flavored Dum-Dums."

While new flavors are always exciting, it’s the end of an era for candy lovers. Do you remember mailing in your Dum-Dums wrappers? Share your memories.