The first candy floss machines were introduced to the public at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. At that time, a cardboard box portion of the candy was sold for only 25 cents (a very hefty cost at the time). However, Nashville candy makers William Morrison and John C. Wharton invented one of the very first candy floss machines in 1897.

Candy floss, otherwise known as fairy floss or cotton candy, is made by heating sugar and food coloring. Placed into a candy floss machine, these ingredients are melted by inside heaters and blown into tiny holes within an underlying bowl. An operator will then take a stick or cardboard cone and catch the spun, flavored sugar into an appetizing cone or ball of flavored fibers.

As long as an adult supervisor is available to oversee the installation and maintenance of the unit, candy floss machines can be easily used by children at birthday parties and by employees at any age when working in circuses, stadiums, traveling shows and carnivals. They can be rented for individual holiday parties, especially during candy-associated times like Easter and Halloween. Or, they can be bought outright as a source of alternative or extra business income.

Maintenance and Customer Serving Accessories for Candy Floss Machines

Candy floss machines have a lot of working parts; thus, it is imperative that a good supply of extra materials be on hand in case of a breakdown or clog. Floss head replacement kits and alternative floss bowls will add extra years of life to these machines. Keeping a good collection of sugar, flavorings, floss cones and container bags will allow this fun dessert snack to be created at any time.