By Heather Taylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more than 120 years, consumers everywhere have been snacking on the crunchy, sweet taste of caramel coated popcorn and peanuts found inside boxes (and now bags) of Cracker Jack. And for those who have truly grown up with the sweet treat, they\u2019ll also recall enjoying the small prizes packed inside. Each package featured a little boy and dog together as the brand\u2019s mascots \u2014 Sailor Jack and his pup, Bingo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s take a deeper look at the inspiration behind this iconic duo and the creation of Cracker Jack from how the snack got its name to being featured in one of the most recognizable baseball songs of all time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first introduction of Cracker Jack by creator Frederick William Rueckheim (also known as F.W.) occurred in 1893 at the World\u2019s Columbian Exposition, Chicago\u2019s first world fair. A unique blend of popcorn, peanuts, and molasses, the confection wouldn\u2019t get the name we know it by now until 1896. That was the year that Louis Rueckheim, F.W.\u2019s brother and partner, gave a salesman a sample of the treat. He exclaimed, \u201cThat\u2019s a crackerjack!\u201d While the colloquialism generally means \u201csuper\u201d or \u201cnifty,\u201d Louis instantly knew it would be the name of their snack and had the words trademarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1908, the song \u201cTake Me Out to the Ball Game was written and composed by Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer. Y\u2019know the famous \u201cBuy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack\u201d line in the ditty? That was none other than Cracker Jack they were referring to \u2014 and since then, more 100 versions of the song have been recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From 1910-1911, boxes of Cracker Jack originally came with coupons that could be redeemed for premium items like clothes and sporting goods. These were phased out in 1912, when small prizes were inserted into each package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n