A Man and His Popcorn
Nothing screams Americana quite like the 7th inning stretch and a box of Cracker Jacks. But would you believe this time-tested snack was created by a German immigrant and debuted not at the ballpark, but at the World’s Fair? The story of this American candy classic is an interesting one, indeed.
Frederick William Rueckheim had been selling popcorn on the streets of Chicago for years, when, in 1893, he came up with a new popcorn creation for the Chicago World’s Fair. When his brother Louis arrived from Germany, they established the F.W. Rueckheim & Bro. company to sell their popcorn together.
What is a Cracker Jack?
In 1896 the name Cracker Jack was officially registered (before then the snack had been called candied popcorn and peanuts) and the familiarly sticky and sweet candy we know today was born.
Back in the day, the term “cracker jack” could refer to anything of high quality, so it’s no wonder the name stuck! The coining of the name, however, was just the first of many big steps for this candy favorite.
Out of Left Field
Henry Gottlieb Eckstein’s invention of the “Eckstein Triple Proof Bag” in 1899 made him the perfect business partner for the Rueckheim brothers. And, in 1902, the company became Rueckheim Bros & Eckstein.
But it would take six more years before Cracker Jacks came into their own. In 1908, Jack Norworth penned the infamous lines of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” that shot Cracker Jacks into the limelight. Since then, no baseball game has been complete without at least one box of the crunchy, sweet treat.
Changes came to the company, fast and furious, as Cracker Jacks grew in popularity. In 1912 Rueckheim Bros & Eckstein began adding tiny prizes to each box of Cracker Jacks. Candy and toys? These guys really knew what would sell. The face of Cracker Jacks got another boost in 1918, when Sailor Jack and his dog Bingo were added to the packaging.
The endearing duo was apparently based on Rueckheim’s grandson and dog. But, I’d say it’s probably not a coincidence that they appeared at the end of the 1st World War. A patriotic move, if I do say so myself.
A Home Run
Four years later, the company underwent another name change, this time becoming The Cracker Jack Company. This name lasted through much of the 20th century, until Borden bought it in 1964.
Today, Cracker Jacks are made by Frito-Lay. They’re still a fan favorite at baseball games, enchanting the young and the young-at-heart as they have for decades. So while the prizes may have changed over the years, you can be sure that the candy inside hasn’t changed a bit.
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Sources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cracker_Jack
- http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blcrackerjacks.htm
- http://www.delish.com/food-fun/cracker-jack-history-snack-foods#slide-2
Love the story and the memories associated with Crackers Jacks….I was on a class trip to CLeveland Art museum and was left behind . I was studing a Picasso and did not follow the class as it moved through the museum I was awaken from looking at the painting by old man who was the secuirty guard. He asked the name of my grade school when I answered he told me come along with him and he took me back to his office area where he gave me a package of Crackers Jacks….the orize with a Green metal frog which clicked when you
squeezed it ..best day of my life until
that time drove everyone on the school bus wacky with the noise
The name was created at the Chicago world fair when a sailor tried it and exclaimed in surprise That’s a cracker Jack. Jack being the equivalent of buddy or dude. The two brothers selling it at the fair looked at each other, winked, looked back at the sailor and said why yes it is. At that world fair Tesla was electrifying all the lighting and the zipper was also presented for the first time. It’s the most written and talked about fair of all time surprised so many are getting such different versions of the cracker Jack history.
What does it matter if one says “cracker jacks” instead of “cracker jack” theyre simply making it plural. My name is Justine and plural would be Justine’s.. But when someone uses the plural version in a sentence I’m going to say “that is not my name! It is Justine! One simply should read my birth certificate!” I hope I have proven my point.
There is no S in Cracker Jack. Never has been. Read the box.
Good snack though.
I loved those toys in the box!!! Who cares if it wasn’t wrapped…I’am very old, I still love Cracker Jacks! I miss the toys😢