Separating Myth from Reality: The True Origin of the Ring Candy
Everyday objects often carry fascinating origin stories, but not all of these stories are rooted in fact. One of the most persistent urban legends in American consumer history involves the iconic ring-shaped peppermint candy known as the Life Saver. According to popular myth, the candy's inventor, Clarence Crane, tragically lost his young child to a choking incident involving a solid piece of hard candy. Devastated by the loss, Crane supposedly designed a new candy with a hole punched through the middle. The legend claims that the center hole was engineered as a safety feature, allowing air to pass through a child's windpipe if the candy were accidentally swallowed whole.
- persistent:
- Continuing firmly or existing for a long time despite opposition or difficulty.
- obscure:
- To conceal, hide, or make something unclear.
- nautical:
- Relating to ships, sailors, or navigation on the water.
- resonant:
- Evoking strong, enduring emotions or memories.
- adaptability:
- The ability to adjust easily to new conditions or unexpected changes.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1According to popular urban legend, why did Clarence Crane design a candy with a hole in the center?
- 2What do medical professionals state regarding the claim that the hole makes hard candy choke-proof?
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About this explanatory article passage for 6th Grade
“Separating Myth from Reality: The True Origin of the Ring Candy” is a explanatory article reading passage about Product Inventions, written for 6th Grade. It takes about 4 minutes to read (551 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.