The origins of cotton candy are unclear and the inventor of this confection cannot be pinpointed. However, four people have been identified and named as the inventors of the candy and they are William Morrison, Thomas Patton, Josef Delarose Lascaux and John C. Wharton.

William Morrison and John Wharton were two candy makers from Tennessee. They invented the first electric cotton candy machine and were given the patent for the cotton candy machine in the year 1899. This machine made cotton candy by melting sugar and using centrifugal force to spin the sugar and force them through tiny holes before releasing them. When they received the patent, the pair brought and presented the machine to the 1904 St. Louis World Fair.

On the other hand, Thomas Patton was experimenting with caramelized sugar and used a fork to form them into threads. He then designed a machine that utilized a gas-fired rotating plate that would spin the sugar and form them into threads. These threads were then collected and formed into a big cotton ball which is now called cotton candy. He presented the machine at the Ringling Brothers' Circus where it was a hit and sold like popcorn to children. He received a separate patent for his machine and his process for making cotton candy in 1900.

Around the same time, Josef Delarose Lascaux, was a dentist in the state of Louisiana who introduced cotton candy in his dental clinic. He, however, did not receive a patent or trademark for his cotton candy unlike the other three.

The early patented machines were found to be defective and did not last long. Some machines would break while others made loud rattling noises. The Gold Medal Products company came up with a more dependable cotton candy machine that used a spring base. This new machine contributed to the transformation of the cotton candy industry.

Cotton candy is a huge hit because it is very simple to make. The process of making it is different from the usual way candy is made. In cotton candy, sugar is melted until it is in a liquid state. The liquid sugar is then spun in the cotton candy machine. Using centrifugal force, the machine forces the liquid through and out of tiny holes. These holes form the sugar into threads and cool the liquid sugar. Once the threads of sugar are cooled, they become solid again. Afterwards, the center of the machine is full of thousands of tiny threads of sugar that are then collected by a stick. The threads adhere to the stick and the ball grows bigger as the threads stick to more threads. It is then shaped into a ball and served. Sometimes, the ball is stuffed into a plastic bag with the stick removed. Some stalls offer other flavored cotton candy and others may even give you toppings like milk powder to go with it.

Nowadays, cotton candy machines and stalls are found everywhere. You can see them in amusement parks, fairs, playgrounds and circuses. Even though its history has left a lot to be debated about, it doesn't really matter to the consumers. To them, it is still a summertime favorite because it is light, sweet and fluffy. just the way they like it.