NIPS were introduced more than 70 years ago and known as Pearson NIPS since the early 1920's. Nestlé purchased NIPS in 1989. The "Pearson" name was dropped in Fall 2000. NIPS are different from most other hard sugar candies because NIPS are a milk-based hard caramel. The dairy ingredients make NIPS' texture exceptionally smooth and creamy.