Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities: Episode Summary – "Love to Hate It"

Release Date: October 31, 2024
Host: Erin Menke
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and Grim & Mild

Introduction to the Episode

In the "Love to Hate It" episode of Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities, host Erin Menke delves into the fascinating history of Halloween and one of its most polarizing treats: candy corn. The episode blends historical insights with engaging storytelling to explore how modern Halloween traditions, particularly trick-or-treating and candy corn, have evolved over time.

Origins of Halloween

Erin Menke begins by tracing Halloween's roots back to Samhain, an ancient Celtic harvest festival celebrated between October 31 and November 1. She explains:

“The Celts believed that the boundary between our world and the spirit world was thinnest on those days and that residents of the netherworld could cross into this one to, you know, wreak some havoc.” (00:41)

To protect their communities from these spirits, people engaged in various rituals:

• Offerings and Bonfires: Participants left offerings outside villages to appease any fairies, spirits, or monsters that might appear. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil entities.

• Jack o'Lanterns: During the Middle Ages, people began carving turnips into lanterns to further deter malevolent spirits.

• Costumes: Disguises made from animal hides were worn in an attempt to scare away unwanted ghostly visitors.

These practices laid the groundwork for many modern Halloween customs.

Evolution of Trick-or-Treating

Menke explores the transition from ancient rituals to contemporary trick-or-treating:

• Souling: In medieval times, the poor would visit wealthy households, receiving small cakes in exchange for prayers for the dead. This tradition evolved into children dressing in costumes and exchanging songs, poems, or jokes for treats instead of prayers.

• Early 20th Century Practices: Halloween became more organized in the United States, with communities establishing group trick-or-treating events. However, the tradition saw a temporary decline during World War II.

• Post-War Boom: The baby boom following the war solidified Halloween traditions, embedding activities like trick-or-treating deeply into American culture.

Menke notes the cultural cementing of Halloween traditions during this period, emphasizing their enduring popularity.

The Story of Candy Corn

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the history of candy corn, one of Halloween's most debated confections.

Origins and Early Production

• George Reniger and the Wonderly Candy Company (1880s):
  Erin details how George Reniger proposed shaping buttercream into harvest vegetables such as chestnuts, turnips, corn, and pea pods to appeal to America's agricultural roots. The corn shape was selected for its ease of production.

  “Reniger worked hard to perfect the candy's recipe and its shape. His grandson later told a newspaper that his granddad threw batches of it out to the family chickens and knew that it was the perfect shape once the chickens started going after it.” (Approximately 03:00)

• Marketing as "Chicken Feed":
  The Goelitz Confectionery Company marketed the candy corn as chicken feed, featuring a rooster on the packaging. This novelty positioning helped it gain initial traction despite the perception of corn as livestock feed.

Manufacturing Process and Labor

• Hand-Poured Colors:
  The bright, distinct colors of candy corn were achieved by manually pouring each section to keep them separate. Workers carried heavy buckets (up to 200 pounds) of the candy mixture and moved backwards along conveyor belts to fill trays—a labor-intensive process that limited year-round production.

• Link to Harvest Celebrations:
  Although originally intended as a gag candy, the seasonal production emphasized a connection to the harvest, aligning it with Halloween themes over time.

Rebranding and Popularization

• Post-World War I Shift:
  As corn became a common edible for humans, Goelitz faced challenges in meeting demand due to pre-automation manufacturing processes. The 1950s introduction of modern mechanization allowed for increased production.

• Name Change and Modern Appeal:
  Recognizing that the original agricultural roots had faded, the company rebranded candy corn with brighter colors and a catchy name. This strategic shift helped establish candy corn as a Halloween staple despite its divisive reputation.

  “Sure, it might be one of the most divisive candies in America and have a shelf life longer than a Twinkie, but you have to admit, Halloween just wouldn't be the same without candy corn.” (05:55)

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Candy Corn

Erin Menke wraps up the episode by reflecting on the enduring presence of candy corn in Halloween celebrations. Despite varying opinions about its taste and aesthetics, candy corn remains a quintessential part of the holiday, symbolizing the blend of tradition, innovation, and cultural adaptation that characterizes Halloween.

Notable Quotes

• On Halloween's Mystical Origins:
  “The Celts believed that the boundary between our world and the spirit world was thinnest on those days and that residents of the netherworld could cross into this one to, you know, wreak some havoc.” (00:41)

• On the Transition to Trick-or-Treating:
  “Modern day Halloween fully took shape in the United States, with many communities organizing group trick or treating in the early 20th century.” (02:00)

• On Candy Corn's Marketing Strategy:
  “Chicken feed was meant to tap into the joys of a bountiful harvest, which later helped connect it to Halloween.” (04:30)

• On Candy Corn's Cultural Impact:
  “Sure, it might be one of the most divisive candies in America and have a shelf life longer than a Twinkie, but you have to admit, Halloween just wouldn't be the same without candy corn.” (05:55)

Final Thoughts

"Love to Hate It" offers listeners a comprehensive exploration of Halloween's evolution and the specific journey of candy corn from a novelty treat to a beloved (or loathed) symbol of the holiday. Erin Menke's engaging narrative and inclusion of historical anecdotes provide a rich understanding of how traditions adapt and endure over time.

*For those interested in diving deeper into curious stories and unexplained phenomena, be sure to subscribe to Cabinet of Curiosities on Apple Podcasts or visit curiositiespodcast.com. Explore more of Aaron Mahnke's work with his award-winning show, Lore, and stay curious!