Ezaki Glico was established by Riichi Ezaki (1882-1980), Katsuhisa’s grandfather, in 1922 following his development the previous year of caramel candies containing glycogen, a nutrient that stores energy.
Riichi found a clue to the product’s development when he saw liquid overflowing from a kettle used by fishermen to boil oysters on a riverbank. Oysters contain glycogen.
He named the product “Glico” and released it in a “running man” package containing a picture card as well. He began giving away free toys, including medals, in a small box attached to the distinctive red package in 1927.