article: An archive of images showing the evolution of the Easter Egg over the past 40 years has been released in time for this year's celebrations. Archivists at confectionery giant Nestle have assembled the compendium of photographs dating back as far as the 1970s to highlight how the traditional chocolate treats have changed over the years. And the images are bound to jog a few childhood memories of the vast array of Easter eggs that the famed sweet makers have produced in the past. Scroll down for video . Who knew? Chewy sweets, Tooty Frooties, used to release Easter Eggs. This advert dates back to 1972 . A dose of nostalgia: From the Smarties Easter Egg (pictured left), to a selection of funky Easter Eggs (pictured right), both 1970 . The collection includes eggs by much-loved brands like Caramac, Yorkie, Rolo, Toffee Crisp, Aero and even Polo. The tradition of Easter eggs can be traced back to the years following the First World War when the egg was adopted as a symbol of new life and hope. Prior to that chocolatiers had made chocolate fish, chickens and shoes at Easter because these were accepted symbols of the celebrations. Matchmakers look very different today! Now mostly associated with mint, back in 1991, a Matchmakers Easter Egg is retailed with 'Orange Chocolate Sticks' Very different from it's distinctive bold style today, a poster advertises Yorkie Easter in 1980.The Easter Egg can be traced back to WWI when eggs symbolised new life and hope . The new egg-shaped treats soared in popularity throughout the 1920s and 1930s but production stopped in the 1940s due to World War Two rationing. Shortages of key ingredients like sugar carried on until the early 1950s until British firm Rowntrees, now owned by Nestle, released their Dairy Egg in 1954. Since then chocolate Easter eggs have been a staple in households across the country. Alex Hutchinson, historian and archivist at Nestle, said: 'Prior to First World War people would celebrate Easter with chocolate fish and chickens which were symbols of the Christian story of Easter. Egg-cellent! Smarties Eggheads (pictured left) and Rowntree's Minty Eggs (pictured right) in 1991 show very different flavours to what is widely-known now. Rowntree's are characterised by their chewy Fruit Pastels . A Kit-Kat Easter egg poster from 1991 shows that the packaging hasn't changed dramatically to today, and has also maintained it's famous 'Have a Break!' tagline . Yorkie's Easter Egg poster from 1991, also shows that the chocolate has maintained its bold yellow and blue branding . 'We also made chocolate shoes, which were pagan symbols of a tradition in the north of England whereby people would buy new shoes and bonnets to wear to church at Easter. 'After the First World War we reintroduced the Easter egg in 1922. The eggs symbolised the spring, new life and hope. 'Easter eggs became hugely popular and the rest is history. 'We put together this archive of photos as a little Easter treat for fans of Easter eggs. 'Our archives go all the way back to the very beginning of the chocolate Easter egg but this selection of images focuses on the 70s, 80s and 90s because the designs and packaging are much cooler. 'A little bit of nostalgia is great fun, and there's bound to be a few eggs in there that people remember from their childhoods.' Retro egg! A Rowntree Easter Egg range was advertised in 1977, and is starting to show hints of Rowntree's colourful branding . Goodies within: A Tooty Frooties Easter Egg (pictured left) and a Quality Street egg (pictured right) made from bundles of their signature wrapped-up chocolates - both from 1976 . A Weekend Easter collection from 1970 (pictured left) and a collection of Tots Easter Eggs from 1977 (right) Rowntree's Milk Chocolate Cream Eggs from 1970 are made from the same ingredients as what we've come to love and know as Cadbury's Creme Eggs .
highlights: Archivists at Nestle have assembled images dating back to 1970s .
  Collection includes eggs from Yorkie, Kit Kat, Smarties and Rowntree's .
  Prior to WWI, people celebrated Easter with chocolate fish and chickens .
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