Girl with cotton candy The irony of a dentist inventing a sugary treat such as cotton candy is not lost on us. (more) How Was Cotton Candy Invented? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/How-Was-Cotton-Candy-Invented Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Sep 4, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot The sugary treat cotton candy was invented in Nashville in 1897 by a dentist (yes, a dentist) named William J. Morrison and a confectioner named John C. Wharton. Together, they developed a machine that spun heated sugar into fine threads, creating an airy, cottony confection that became a staple at carnivals and fairs. The two inventors’ machine was first introduced to the public in 1904 at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri, where the confection became an instant hit. The treat was originally marketed as “fairy floss” and was sold in small wooden boxes for 25 cents, half the ...(100 of 243 words)

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