A decades-old Crunchie wrapper, possibly dating back to the 1960s, has been unearthed behind bookshelves at Cambridge University Library, sparking an online detective hunt to determine its exact age.
The discovery was made last week by a library worker dismantling bookshelves. The university believes the orange wrapper, containing a few remaining crumbs, had been stashed behind books before slipping down the back.
In an attempt to date the wrapper, social media users on Facebook and X quickly jumped in with their theories. One user suggested the wrapper was from between late 1965 and early 1967, citing a promotional slogan, “bigger, same price,” which was launched in September 1965. By mid-1967, the standard price had increased to sevenpence, further narrowing the timeframe.
Others speculated that the wrapper could date back to the 1950s, pointing to an old Fry’s advertisement promoting Crunchies at sixpence.
The chocolate bar, originally introduced by Fry and Sons in 1929, became part of the Cadbury’s range in 1988. The library’s social media team posted a lighthearted message urging the mysterious snacker to come forward and “fess up” if they remembered hiding the wrapper all those years ago.
Lizzie Woodman, the library’s social media coordinator, expressed surprise at the discovery. “The workman wasn’t expecting to find anything like that. It was in such good condition—it looked like it had been put there yesterday.”
With nearly 10 million books and 130 miles of shelving, the Cambridge University Library is no stranger to historical remnants. Woodman noted, “It’s not surprising that things sometimes stay hidden for so long.”
The mystery of the Crunchie wrapper remains unsolved, but it has provided a fascinating glimpse into the everyday habits of past library visitors.
