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| Borden Cracker Jack yo-yo (mini) |
| Exhibit #4477 |
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| Type | Production |
| Shape | Specialty |
| Axle | Fixed String |
| Finish | Unfinished |
| Color | Black/Red |
| Construction | Multi-piece plastic |
| Response | None |
| Diameter | 30mm |
| Width | 6mm |
| Gap | Fixed |
| Weight | 1.85gm |
| Condition | Mint |
| Date | 1965 |
| Owner | Rick Brough |
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The Cracker Jack miniature yo-yo from about 1965. Today, Cracker Jack is still a classic American snack that combines molasses-flavored caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts. For more than a century, it was well known for being packaged with a small prize of trivial value. The treat was first invented in 1872. At the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, it was introduced to the wider public and then later branded as "Cracker Jack" in 1896. The iconic "prize in every box" program began in 1912, adding an extra bit of excitement to the snacking experience. The clever marketing strategy aimed to increase appeal to children. Over the years, the prizes have ranged from tin toys, decoder rings, and yes, even yo-yos. As with all good things, the prizes eventually came to an end. In 2016, Frito-Lay, the current owner of the Cracker Jack brand, announced that the physical toy gift would be replaced with a QR code that you could use to download a baseball-themed game. Why a baseball-themed game? The song "Take me out to the ball game", written in 1908, mentioned Cracker Jack in the lyrics and it forever linked the snack to baseball.
The Cracker Jack yo-yo in this exhibit was nearly identical in diameter, width, and coloring to the Duncan Junior. The yo-yo was randomly included as the Toy Surprise inside boxes of Cracker Jack about 1965. The tagline for Cracker Jack was originally Candy-coated popcorn, peanuts, and a prize.
The black halve is molded with a silouette image of Cracker Jack's mascot Sailor Jack and his dog Bingo at his feet. Sailor Jack was modeled after the founder’s grandson, and his image first appeared on Cracker Jack boxes in 1918.
The red halve is molded with the words The Cracker Jack Co. Made in Hong Kong in a circular fashion. The black yo-yo string is pegged to the axle so it only goes up and down. Halves are press-fit together, just like the Duncan Junior.
People are often misinformed by stating that the Duncan Junior mini yo-yo came inside boxes of Cracker Jack or was dispensed from gumball machines. Neither is correct. The Duncan Junior came as a free prize inside boxes of Post Sugar Crisp and Post Grape Nuts. A genuine Cracker Jack yo-yo is branded as such and came in a sealed paper envelope inside boxes of Cracker Jack.
Recipe
Diameter: 30mm
Width: 6mm
Weight: 1.85gm
Material: Plastic
Of interest...
To see all mini yo-yos in this museum, in the left panel, select Exhibits.
In the right pane, in the Name/Model field, type mini, then select Browse. | |
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