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Cracker Jack Collectors Association History & Lore
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1871, Rueckheim selling popcorn 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. Frederick William Rueckheim founder of Cracker Jack, started selling popcorn
 
 
1893, the birth of Cracker Jack 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. Cracker Jack at the Chicago Worlds Fair 1893
 
 
1896, Louis Rueckheim, discovered how to keep Cracker Jack from sticking together 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.
Louis Rueckheim, discovered a process for keeping Cracker Jack from sticking together
 
 
1899, the year Eckstein developed the waxed sealed package Henry Gottlieb Eckstein developed the "waxed sealed package" for freshness, known as "Eckstein Triple Proof Package." Henry Gottlieb Eckstein developed the waxed sealed package
 
 
1902, is when company was reorganized as Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein. The company was reorganized as Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein. Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein
 
 
1908, the year when Take Me Out to the Ball Game was written. 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!" Take Me Out to the Ball Game featuring the lyrics 'Take ne out to the ballgame'
 
 
1912, the year when prizes were put into every box of Cracker Jack "A Prize in Every Box" is introduced when toys are inserted into every package. A Prize Inside Every Box since 1912
 
 
1914, a Cracker Jack plant opened in NY. A new plant for manking Cracker Jack was opened in Brooklyn, NY. Cracker Jack pant in Brooklyn, NY.
 
 
1918, the year when Cracker Jack mascot Jack and Bingo appeared 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. Sailor Jack and Bingo, Cracker Jack mascot
 
 
1922, when it was renamed the Cracker Jack Company Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein was renamed The Cracker Jack Co. Rueckheim Bros. & Eckstein was renamed The Cracker Jack  Company
 
 
1941-1945, the years that Cracker Jack made rations for the military. Supplied 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 Jack made K Rations for the military in WWII
 
 
1964, the year Borden took over Cracker Jack Columbus, Ohio-based Borden, Inc. purchases the Cracker Jack Company. It becomes the Cracker Jack division of Borden, Inc. Bordon Inc. purchases the Cracker Jack Comapany
 
 
1975, automated machinery making Cracker Jack Automated, high-speed, continuous cooking machinery replaces the metal tubs in which Cracker Jack was batch-coated. Cracker Jack Factory, with automated machinery making Cracker Jack
 
 
1993, the year Cracker Jack turned 100 Borden celebrate the 100th anniversary of Cracker Jack. Cracker Jack celebrstes 100 Years
 
 
1997, Frito-Lay is the new owner of Cracker Jack Frito Lay purchases Cracker Jack brand from Borden. Frito Lay purchases Cracker Jack from Borden
 
 
2012, celebrates 100 years of Cracker Jack prizes in every box Cracker Jack celebrates 100 years of "A Prize in Every Box." Prize in every box of Cracker Jack, 100th Anniversary
 
 
2013, the year Cracker Jack celebrates 120 years Frito Lay celebrates the 120th anniversary of Cracker Jack. 120th Anniversary of Cracker Jack







CJCA - Cracker Jack Collectors Association