Milky Way gave its name to the first mass-produced chocolate bar with a filling when it launched in 1923. The bar was created by Frank C. Mars and produced by the Mars company in the United States.
Its center was a chocolate-malt nougat covered with milk chocolate. The product was inspired partly by a popular malted milkshake, a style of drink that was fashionable in American soda fountains. The filling helped distinguish Milky Way from solid chocolate bars and made it an important early success for Mars.
The American Milky Way is different from the bar sold under the same name in some other countries. In the United Kingdom and parts of Europe, Milky Way has traditionally used a lighter whipped center and does not match the American recipe. This regional difference is a common source of confusion when comparing the brand internationally.