Considering the nature of his chosen profession and the fun-filled products with which he was associated, Leo Hirschfield led a complicated life.
The son of an Austrian candy maker, young Leo came to the United States and began working for Manhattan confectioners Stern & Saalberg. While in the employ of Stern & Saalberg, Leo was awarded several patents for advancement in candy-making technology. The patents, however, were shared with Stern & Saalberg. In 1895, Leo invented a fruit-flavored gelatin product called “Bromangelon,” which became a very popular dessert… until it was eclipsed by a similar product introduced two years later… a product called “Jell-o.”
In 1907, Leo was still employed by Stern & Saalberg. He developed a uniquely-textured chocolate candy which he named “Tootsie,” supposedly after a nickname for his daughter. However, company records show that a character named “Tootsie” served as a spokesperson and mascot for the Bromangelon product. Nevertheless, Tootsie Rolls were introduced to the market and, thanks to a huge marketing campaign, became a nationwide success. Leo was named a director within the Stern & Saalberg company and became a very wealthy man.
In early 1920, Leo left Stern & Saalberg to start his own candy enterprise. In 1921, Leo’s wife became seriously ill and she was committed to a sanitarium. Leo’s health began to decline as well. Although Leo was rich from his time with Stern & Saalberg, his own candy venture was not especially successful. Leo was also despondent over his wife’s health. On January 13, 1922, Leo checked in to a room at the Hotel Monterey in New York City and shot himself in the head. He left a note reading “sorry, but I could not help it.”
With no official birth records available, Leo was believed to be 54 years old. Stern & Saalberg became Sweets Company of America which eventually became Tootsie Roll Industries. It grew to be one of the largest candy companies in the world.