Twinkie is an American product that started its life in 1933, when a baker named James A. Dewar invented a snack cake with a banana filling for the Continental Baking Company. The company charged a nickel for a package of two Twinkies, and the affordability of the product helped in boosting its sales.

In the 1940s, the banana filling was replaced by vanilla cream, and the product became so popular that the Hostess company never changed it. Today, it is Hostess’ best-selling snack, with half a billion Twinkies sold every year.