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Clarence A. Crane (1875-1931) was an American confectioner and candy entrepreneur, most known for inventing Life Savers.
Clarence Crane came from a line of maple syrup producers in Ohio.
Later, he expanded his father Albert Crane's business and created the world's largest maple syrup company by 1907.
Early success in maple syrup helped Crane go to other successful frontiers later.
After getting bored with his sticky success, Crane invented Life Savers candy in 1912.
The candy was invented as a summer-friendly alternative to chocolate. It was meant to be a melt-free candy.
There was a gap in the market for heat-resistant candy products in the hot summer months.
Thinking outside the box, Clarence Crane used a pharmaceutical pill-making machine to create Life Savers' circular shape with a hole in the center.
Its unique shape and product design became instantly recognizable.
Clarence Crane sold the Life Savers brand and rights for just $2,900 in 1913.
This decision would go on to be his biggest regret and life mistake.
The new owner would make Life Savers a worldwide brand and make millions in profits.
Crane would soon get into the chocolate business. Using the Life Saver sale funds, he started the Crane Chocolate Company in 1916.
The chocolate company had a decent amount of success.
By 1921, it had its headquarters in Cleveland and sales offices in New York City and Kansas City, Missouri.
The company continued to operate when Crane died in 1931.
In 1927, Clarence Crane, a serial entrepreneur, opened an upscale restaurant in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, called Crane's Canary Cottage.
It quickly became a nationally renowned establishment.
Famous people like Will Rogers, Charles Lindbergh, and John D. Rockefeller would stop at the restaurant.
Clarence Crane's first marriage with Grace Hart did not go very well. She was plagued by a mental illness that caused him to divorce Grace in 1917.
He later would date Bessie Meachem, a charming waitress, at his restaurant for a year before he died in 1931.
Clarence was also the father of the famous poet Harold Hart Crane, his only child.
Harold would become one of the most influential American poets of the early 20th century. He was known for his complex, ambitious work that blended modernist techniques with romantic sensibilities.
Harold would create notable works like "The Bridge" and "White Buildings".
Harold sadly died by suicide in 1932 at the age of 32.
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