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As a child growing up in the 1950's, I can remember going to the store with fifty cents in my pocket, knowing that a tough decision awaited me when I arrived at the candy counter. I knew there would be Bazooka Bubble Gums, Three Musketeers, Snickers, Ice Cream Cones and of course boxes of Cracker Jacks waiting to be chosen. In those days, a child could get a lot of mileage out of fifty cents....why, the penny candy counter alone could yield multiple goodies for very little money. Cracker Jack was always a good choice with the popcorn, peanut, and molasses treat to appease your sweet tooth, and the knowledge that a surprise awaited you somewhere in the box. The popularity of this confection has endured since 1871 when Frederick Rueckheim came up with a concoction that was sold from his Chicago popcorn stand. In 1893, Rueckheim and his brother introduced the confection at the World's Colombian Exposition where it gained a popular following. In 1899, Cracker Jack was distributed in the now familiar snack size boxes, and by 1908 people were singing the product's praise in the song "Take Me Out To The Ball Game." It was not until 1912 that prizes were nested somewhere in the favored treat. The prizes have always been unique, there were "whistles,watches, watch fobs, and Cracker Jack piggybanks that held five pennies---just enough to buy another box". The most durable prizes were molded from tin, and other prizes were made of paper,and with thousands of toys just waiting to be found, the popularity of Cracker Jack was a sure bet! The product's logo, Sailor Jack and his dog Bingo, made their marketing debut in 1918 having been modeled after Rueckheim's grandson, Jack. To this very day Jack and Bingo grace every box of Cracker Jack, and it is hoped that they and their product will be around for many more years. |