Nostalgic photos show 90 year transformation of Mars bar

By Lucy Brimble, 72Point via SWNS

These nostalgic images show the amazing journey of the classic Mars bar over the last nine decades.

As the chocolate giant celebrates its milestone 90th anniversary, it has released fascinating archive photos of the sweet treat through the ages - including a glimpse of the chocolate bar being handmade in its early years at its confectionery factory in Slough, England.

More than 30 billion Mars bars have been sold since it was launched in 1932, after being created by American businessman Forrest Edward Mars Sr.

The caramel and nougat bar, which is coated in milk chocolate, was advertised with the popular slogan "A Mars a day helps you work, rest and play."

1966 Mars bar. (Mars via SWNS)

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Churning out nearly three million bars-a-day, the brand was also a sweet treat for the UK troops to enjoy during World War II.

While many factories were forced to suspend their normal operations, Mars was permitted to continue to produce its chocolate bars, with the aim to get a bar into every soldier's knapsack.

It comes after a poll of 2,000 adults found they will each consume an average of nearly 10,000 chocolate bars over their lifetime.

Kerry Cavanaugh, a spokesperson for Mars Wrigley UK, said: “Slough gave the world the Mars Bar, which has become an icon, and part of everyday British life.

“As we celebrate our 90th anniversary it’s exciting to look back at our chocolate history and see how our brands continue to be the UK’s favorite treats today.”

The study also found 53 percent of those who eat chocolate have a favorite bar, with 60 percent claiming it’s the same one they had as a child.

And a third of chocolate lovers can even still remember the first bar they ever had.

But it does seem taste buds have matured with age, as 47 percent of those with a sweet tooth now like more "grown-up" types of chocolate, such as dark or vegan.

Although 47 percent will typically stick to the more traditional bars as opposed to trying a new release.

When quizzed on their favorite type, milk takes the win (67 percent) with only four percent choosing white - and a quarter are fans of the darker flavor.

A third love the orange flavor and 34 per ent are mad for mint, according to the OnePoll study.

When it comes to the great fridge debate, half of chocolate fans think it should always be kept cold and 34 percent reckon it should live elsewhere.

It also emerged caramel (36 percent), hazelnuts (31 percent) and fudge (25 percent) are the key components of a chocolate bar.

While getting a bar after school as a treat (37 percent) and tucking into one after a hard day at work (27 percent) are the top memories associated with a chocolate bar.

Kerry Cavanaugh added: "It’s brilliant hearing what the nation’s chocolate lovers prefer when it comes to their bars.

“There’s always such a debate about what the best type is or whether people should keep it in the fridge or not - and we hope this helps to settle the debate.

“Chocolate is a much-loved treat across the country, so it’s been fantastic commissioning this research to celebrate 90 years of Mars.”