Edward John Noble- Short Biography
Children in the United States and all over the world grew up with that distinctive five-flavored roll of Lifesavers candy.
Had it not been for the entrepreneurial spirit of Edward Noble, then Lifesavers candy would not be around today.
How He Built An Empire Based on Candy
In 1912, the Lifesavers candy was created by Clarence Crane in Ohio. It was not until 1913 that Noble bought the Lifesaver formula from Crane for a mere $2,900 and renamed it Pep-o-mint Lifesavers.
The Lifesavers name came about because the candy looked like small flotation devices. Noble replaced the dull cardboard roll where the candy was placed with a tin foil wrapper to ensure freshness.
During this time, the candy was only available in mint flavor and it was not until 1935 that the five fruit flavors you are familiar with today came about. Noble worked hard at promoting the candy himself. He placed the candy near the cash registers in cigar stores, drug stores, restaurants, and barbershops. He was also responsible for creating new flavors himself.
Eventually, the small-time mint company became a global enterprise with profits of as much as twenty million dollars at its peak in the 1960s. Later the Lifesavers brand was purchased by Wrigley but its history is still traced back to Noble, who made the candy a household name.
Aside from the Lifesavers Corporation, Noble was also able to branch out to another form of business. Noble is actually the co-founder of the American Broadcasting Company or ABC, the same television network that still exists today. Noble was instrumental in the negotiations to merge ABC with Paramount Studios. It was because of this that ABC eventually turned into one of the most successful and recognizable television networks in the United States.
The Edward Noble Quick Bio
Full Name: Â Edward John Noble
Birthdate:Â 1882
Death: 1958
Birthplace: Gouverneur, New York
Company:Â Life Savers
Key Success Traits:Â entrepreneurial, great marketing skills
Additional:
Edward Noble is also well-known for his philanthropic deeds. There are three hospitals and one foundation named in his memory.