The Dominostein was invented in 1936 by Herbert Wendler (1912–1998) in Dresden. Because of the food shortage during World War II, he intended it as a lower-priced alternative to his more expensive pralines. It became popular as a Notpraline (hardship praline or emergency praline). Wendler's original recipe used Pulsnitzer Pfefferkuchen (gingerbread from Pulsnitz).[1][3][4]
Wendler's factory was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in 1952. In 1972, his company was nationalized during communist rule in East Germany. The government returned the company to Wendler in 1990 during German reunification. In 1996 Dresden-based Dr. Quendt GmbH & Co. KG acquired his company and original Dominostein recipe. By then the confection had become popular nationwide, especially during Christmas.[1]
Retail sales
Mass production in a Lambertz factoryA box of Winternacht chocolate dominos
Dr. Quendt still manufactures and sells Wendler's original Dominostein. Other German manufacturers and distributors include Edeka, Favorina, Lambertz, and Niederegger. Small confectioneries in Germany also make and sell Dominosteine, including variations with strawberry jelly and nougat. In the United States, Aldi markets them as "chocolate dominos" under its Deutsche Küche and Winternacht brands.[1][5][6]
