'Made in Canada' is a phrase that we all view with great pride. From the Canadarm on the Space Shuttle to the C.N. Tower, we have stood over our achievements and marveled at the scale of our accomplishments. Then there is Thrills Gum. The jury is still out.
The O-Pee-Chee Gum Company was founded in 1911 in London, Ontario by John and Duncan McDermid. The name O-Pee-Chee is an Ojibwe word, meaning "the Robin" and was also the name of McDermid's summer cottage. O-Pee-Chee was famous for their gum and candy, but trading cards were their trademark product, which they started producing back in the 1930s. O-Pee-Chee was the name for immortalizing sports heroes to cardboard for years.
Then lightening struck and they created the legendary cringe and mouth wincing Thrills Gum. Why the soapy flavour? Was it intentional? Was something broken at the factory?
In the 50s and 60s, flowery and perfume-like gum was all the rage, and O-Pee-Chee created Thrills to compete with flavours like teaberry and violet. The official taste of Thrills is “rosewater-flavored”, which gives it that unique, "soap dish in Gram's bathroom" taste. Combine it with the Chiclets-like pack, add that deep purple colour and you, like me, were fooled into expecting gum that didn't taste like you were being punished for swearing.
Is it a classic or is it something to chew on a dare? Is it true Canadian historical innovation, or just plain gross? Some love it, and some turn green when you even mention it. You decide.
One thing is for sure, they should change the updated slogan from " It still tastes like soap" to "the gum you will never have to share"!
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