Origins

• Who was the creator of salt water taffy? Regrettably, that fact is unknown. But the sale of salt water taffy has been recorded, specifically in Atlantic City business districts as early as 1889. Joseph Fralinger is widely considered to be the first salesman of salt water taffy, selling his confection at fairs and along the Jersey Shore.
  
  

What's in a Name?

• Yet another mystery is the origins of the name "salt water taffy." In fact, there is no salt water in the recipe (though there is a slight amount of salt). According to stories, the Atlantic City boardwalk was damaged during a storm in the summer of 1883, which included David Bradley's store. The next day, children asked him for taffy, but he changed the name to "salt water taffy" because his confection had been soaked by sea water.
  
  

The 20th Century

• The popularity of salt water taffy peaked in the 1920s, when more than 450 manufacturers were making the confection. Although several people have tried to claim salt water taffy as their own, the U.S. Supreme Court determined in 1923 that the product has no legal attachment to one company or individual.