Nello Ferrara, Creator of Atomic Fireballs & Lemonheads Dead at 93

Nello Ferrara, founder of the Ferrara Pan Candy Company of Chicago has died at the age of 93. His company invented confectionery classics such as Atomic Fireballs, Lemonheads, Red Hots and Boston Baked Beans to name just a few. It's been a while since I've had an Atomic Fireball, but it is one of my favorite candies. If you haven't had one, they are a hot cinnamon jawbreaker. Very hot.

Ferrara came up with the idea for Atomic Fireballs in 1954 after serving in post-World War II Japan. Not exactly politically correct, but that's how that candy came to be. The company is now run by Ferrara's son, Salvatore Ferrara II.

Next time I'm in a candy store, I'll have to risk sacrificing a tooth or two and pick up some of Ferrara's inventions.