Cracker Jack

[donna]

My parents lived in Bradenton Sarasota area. They loved it.

 

[nitrofd]

My parents lived in Bradenton Sarasota area. They loved it.

I like Bradenton also,ever go to the Tropicana Plant there.

 

[donna]

Not to get too far off subject from Cracker Jacks but the Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice area has been a place my family has gone to for years. My Uncle went to Kentucky Military Institute. Their winter quarters was Venice. My Grandma, his mother, and my Mom, his sister would visit him there when parents were allowed.

Just a little family history.

 

[JohnW.]

In the mid/late 60s ...Most sailors had one set of Liberty Dress Blues for going on Liberty Only... Designed personally by the wearer.
Liberty cuffs, Spiked and Pegged Bell Bottoms a Rat Tailed Tie....with Wellington or corfam Shoes or Boots.
Never to be worn for Inspections because the were NON-Regulation...
I had a set....

I remember having 2 pairs of coroframs...one pair for everyday use AND the inspection pair that were taken care of much like a parent with a newborn baby. LOL

 

[JohnW.]

It all began when a German immigrant named Frederick William Rueckheim started selling popcorn that was made by hand method with steam machinery, on 113 Fourth Avenue in Chicago, now known as Federal Street.


According to legend, a unique popcorn, peanuts and molasses confection that was the forerunner to Cracker Jack caramel coated popcorn and peanuts is introduced by F.W. Rueckheim and Brother, at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago's first World's Fair.


Louis Rueckheim, F.W.'s brother and partner, discovered the process for keeping the molasses-covered popcorn morsels from sticking together.

Got it's name Cracker Jack from a salesman who exclaimed "That's a crackerjack!", which at that time meant fantastic.

Their slogan "The more you eat, the more you want" was also copyrighted that year.


Henry Gottlieb Eckstein developed the "waxed sealed package" for freshness, known as "Eckstein Triple Proof Package."


The company was reorganized as Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein.


The song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", written by lyricist Jack Norworth and composer Albert Von Tilzer, gave Cracker Jack free publicity with the line, "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack!"


"A Prize in Every Box" is introduced when toys are inserted into every package.


A new plant for making Cracker Jack was opened in Brooklyn, NY.


Mascots Sailor Jack and Bingo introduced. Sailor Jack was modeled after F.W. Rueckheim's grandson Robert. Sailor Jack's dog Bingo was based on a real-life dog named Russell, a stray adopted in 1917 by Henry Eckstein who demanded that the dog be used on the packaging.


Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein was renamed The Cracker Jack Co.


Supplyied field rations for the Allies during World War II. In 1943 and 1944, the company received three awards from the Army and Navy, including one for high achievement in the production of materials needed by our armed forces.


Cracker Jacks were always my fav as a kid!!!

 

[nitrofd]

It all began when a German immigrant named Frederick William Rueckheim started selling popcorn that was made by hand method with steam machinery, on 113 Fourth Avenue in Chicago, now known as Federal Street.


According to legend, a unique popcorn, peanuts and molasses confection that was the forerunner to Cracker Jack caramel coated popcorn and peanuts is introduced by F.W. Rueckheim and Brother, at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago's first World's Fair.


Louis Rueckheim, F.W.'s brother and partner, discovered the process for keeping the molasses-covered popcorn morsels from sticking together.

Got it's name Cracker Jack from a salesman who exclaimed "That's a crackerjack!", which at that time meant fantastic.

Their slogan "The more you eat, the more you want" was also copyrighted that year.


Henry Gottlieb Eckstein developed the "waxed sealed package" for freshness, known as "Eckstein Triple Proof Package."


The company was reorganized as Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein.


The song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game", written by lyricist Jack Norworth and composer Albert Von Tilzer, gave Cracker Jack free publicity with the line, "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack!"


"A Prize in Every Box" is introduced when toys are inserted into every package.


A new plant for making Cracker Jack was opened in Brooklyn, NY.


Mascots Sailor Jack and Bingo introduced. Sailor Jack was modeled after F.W. Rueckheim's grandson Robert. Sailor Jack's dog Bingo was based on a real-life dog named Russell, a stray adopted in 1917 by Henry Eckstein who demanded that the dog be used on the packaging.


Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein was renamed The Cracker Jack Co.


Supplyied field rations for the Allies during World War II. In 1943 and 1944, the company received three awards from the Army and Navy, including one for high achievement in the production of materials needed by our armed forces.


Cracker Jacks were always my fav as a kid!!!

Quite a history,thanks for posting.

 

[donna]

Cracker Jacks the ultimate caramel popcorn. Bumping for today, April 6th.

 

[Bee]

Holding the box to my mouth and "drinking" the last morsals in the box was the final ritual to eating Cracker Jack

 

[donna]

While we were in Nashville, Brown County, Indiana on Mother's Day, we took the train ride. It is ride thru the town and person gives some history and points out buildings and shops to visit. We learned that the main designer for Cracker Jack Toys and Prizes had lived there for years. His name is C. Carey Cloud. He lived from 1899 to 1984. From 1930 to 1960 he created over 700 million toys and prizes for Cracker Jack boxes. He was known as the "year round Santa Claus". He lived in cabin called "Cloudcrest" in the Nashville, Indiana area. It is still there but is privately owned.

His prizes and toys go for a lot today. They are great collector item.

 

[donna]

Thought since Cracker Jacks mentioned in history of Food today, I bump thread on Cracker Jacks. They always been a favorite treat for me.

 

[donna]

The first prize was actually put in box on Feb. 19, 1913. It was a whistle. See Today in Food History.

 

[TinCan]

I can relate to civilwarincolor's distress over getting out of "dress canvas". First stop when I got to Hong Kong was to visit a tailor shop and have me a gabardine uniform made complete with zipper along the side that made it a whole lot better to get in and out of.

 

[donna]

Bumping this thread for "Love Peanuts Day", March 15th.

 

[Patrick H]

This is a fun thread and I guess I missed it the first time around. Cracker Jack was mentioned a number of times in one of my favorite true-life crime books THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY, about a serial killer at the World Exhibition. The thread also features one of my favorite WWI recruiting posters by one of my favorite illustrators--Howard Chandler Christy, so thanks for that, too!

 

[JOHN42768]

Always an enjoyable treat

 

[JPChurch]

There's a link to all of the "Cracker Jack" TV commercials from the early 60's up till the 70's when they were filmed on color. It's fantastic to watch. Amazing what got put on TV back then.

 

[donna]

Thought bump this thread since it is National Caramel Popcorn Day, April 6. I still love Cracker Jacks.

 

[JPK Huson 1863]

I'm still amazed you find what national food day it is, every day! What I want to know is, why no parades?

 

[donna]

I just check out each day for the foods. If find new stuff on them like to add. The history of foods is very interesting for me. I guess we could have a parade to celebrate some of our favorites.