The Legacy of Jean Tobler: Creator of Toblerone

Jean Tobler, born Johann Jakob Tobler (1830–1905) in Appenzell, Switzerland, was a visionary in the confectionery world. After honing his craft in Paris, Tobler worked in Germany and France before opening his own confectionery shop in Bern in 1865. His shop primarily sold handmade candies with chocolate coatings supplied by other manufacturers. However, the high demand for chocolate prompted Tobler to consider producing it himself, recognizing the potential cost savings.

In 1899, Tobler, along with his sons, founded the "Fabrique de Chocolat de Berne Tobler & Cie." This marked the beginning of their chocolate manufacturing journey, which his sons later expanded. The pivotal moment in Tobler’s legacy came in 1908 with the invention of Toblerone. Inspired by the Italian torrone—a confection made of chocolate, honey, egg whites, and almonds—Tobler and his sons created the distinctive three-dimensional triangular bar.

The unique shape of Toblerone was inspired by the Matterhorn Mountain in the Swiss Alps, symbolizing both Swiss heritage and Tobler's innovative spirit. To protect this unique concept from being replicated by competitors, Tobler applied for and was granted a patent for the manufacturing process in Bern. This made Toblerone the first chocolate product in the world to be patented, cementing its place in confectionery history.

Today, Toblerone remains a globally recognized brand, celebrated for its distinctive shape and rich, nutty flavor. The Tobler family's innovation and dedication to quality continue to be honored in every bar, making Toblerone a timeless symbol of Swiss chocolate excellence.
The Legacy of Jean Tobler: Creator of Toblerone

Philippe Suchard (1797-1884): Swiss Chocolatier

Philippe Suchard, a pivotal figure in the history of Swiss chocolate, is credited with crafting the image of Swiss chocolate that the world cherishes today. Born in Boudry, Switzerland, in 1797, Suchard's early encounter with chocolate came through an intimate and personal experience. His ailing mother sent him to an apothecary in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, to procure a pound of chocolate, intended as a key ingredient in a tonic for her health. This incident sparked Suchard's lifelong passion for chocolate.

Suchard began his career in confectionery as an apprentice in his brother’s confiserie in Bern. This experience laid the foundation for his future endeavors. In 1825, he opened his first confectionery shop in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. With the help of a single assistant, he produced 25 to 30 kilograms of chocolate bars daily. His initial success led him to expand his operations; a year later, he moved into an empty mill in nearby Serrières, where he established his own chocolate factory. Demonstrating a pioneering spirit, Suchard designed his own chocolate-making equipment and harnessed water power to drive his machines, significantly enhancing production efficiency.

Suchard's innovative approach extended beyond chocolate-making. He was ahead of his time in recognizing the importance of employee welfare, building houses for his workers—a practice that was quite progressive for the era. The arrival of the railway in Serrières in 1860 provided a substantial boost to his business, facilitating broader distribution of his products.

In 1878, Philippe Suchard applied for his first British trademark for Chocolat Suisse. As demand grew internationally, he expanded his operations beyond Swiss borders. In 1880, Suchard opened his first chocolate factory outside Switzerland, in Lörrach, Germany. This expansion marked the beginning of Suchard's transformation into a global brand.

The 1890s saw another significant milestone with the introduction of milk chocolate by Suchard, and in 1901, the Milka trademark was registered in Britain. Suchard's commitment to innovation and quality helped establish Swiss chocolate as a symbol of excellence worldwide.

Following the First World War, the reimposition of high tariffs and currency restrictions posed challenges to exports. In response, the company strategically established chocolate factories in the United States, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Sweden, and South Africa, ensuring continued global reach and growth.

Philippe Suchard's legacy endures in the world of chocolate, his contributions having laid the groundwork for the global reputation of Swiss chocolate. His vision, innovation, and commitment to quality have left an indelible mark on the confectionery industry.
Philippe Suchard (1797-1884): Swiss Chocolatier

Johann Jakob Tobler

Jean Tobler was born Johann Jakob Tobler in Appenzell, Switzerland.

After learning his craft in Paris, Jean Tobler worked for many years in Germany and France.  In 1865, he opened his own confectionary in Bern.

The shop sold mostly handmade candies with coatings made of chocolate supplied by other manufacturers. He was going through so much chocolate that it became clear it would be cheaper to make it himself.

In 1899, he and his sons founded the “Fabrique de Chocolat de Berne Tobler & Cie.” It was later expanded under his sons.

In 1908 they invented ‘Toblerone’. Tobler used the Italian ‘torrone ‘formula, a mixture of chocolate, honey, egg whites and almonds and the famous three-dimensional triangular bar was created.

Tobler used the Matterhorn Mountain to inspire the shape of his product. Fearing that a competitor would duplicate his concept, he applied for a patent on the manufacturing process in Berne.

This was granted and Toblerone became the first chocolate product in the world to be patented.
Johann Jakob Tobler

Philippe Suchard (1797-1884)

Philippe Suchard is credited with being the creator of the image of Swiss chocolate.

Suchard was born at Boudry, Switzerland.  He had first encountered chocolate when his ailing mother sent him to an apothecary in Neuchatel Switzerland to secure a pound of that product to incorporate into a tonic she was taking to improve her health.

He began his career as an apprentice confectioner in his brother’s confiserie in Bern.

He opened his first confectionary shop in Neuchatel in Switzerland in 1825.  He produced between 25 to 30 kg of chocolate bars each day with help of a single assistant.

A year later Suchard moved into an empty mill in nearby Serrieres and there built his own chocolate factory. Suchard pioneered the building of houses for his workers. He also designed his own chocolate-making equipment and harnessed water power to drive the machines.

When the railway reached Serrieres in 1860, his business was given a substantial boost.

In 1878 Philippe Suchard applied for his first British trademark for Chocolat Suisse. Growing demand from other countries led to the first Suchard chocolate factory outside Switzerland being built in 1880 in Lorrach, on the German side of the Swiss border.

Milk chocolate was introduced by Suchard in the 1890s and in 1901 the trademark Milka was registered in Britain.

After the First World War, when exports were hindered by the reimposition of high tariffs and currency restrictions, the company opened chocolate factories in the US, the UK, Argentina, Sweden and South Africa.
Philippe Suchard (1797-1884)