The iconic chalky heart-shaped candies that have been passed out lovingly every Valentine’s Day started out as lozenges. According to the Food Business News, pharmacist and inventor Oliver Chase created a machine to simplify the making of medical lozenges used for sore throats and other illnesses. The machine was converted to America's first candy-making machine, and Chase changed his focus to Candy. Chase founded the New England Confectionery Company, or Necco, and the candy lozenges soon became what we know today as Necco wafers. Chase’s brother came up with the idea to print messages on the candy in 1866, and the candies got their heart shape in 1901, appealing specifically to Valentine’s Day sweethearts.