Cotton candy was originally called Fairy Floss. The toothfairy must have been seriously against this appellation. The pink cloud of sugar was first introduced to the world in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair. It was a hit! 68,655 boxes sold at 0.25 cents a pop. That was a pretty hefty price at the time!
Cotton candy and the circus are certainly synonymous sooo here's a vintage Barnum and Bailey postcard that is best enjoyed embiggened:)