Hot sellers in the 1960's and 1970's, Ding Dongs earned their name from the "Ding Dong" of chiming bells used in Hostess television commercials. Though Americans seemed to like the product, there was a bit of an identity crisis when Ding Dongs were confused with Ring Dings. In the Northeastern United States, Hostess opted to package the cakes as King Dons to avoid confusion.