Did You Know? Cracker Jack was invented in IllinoisYou’ve heard the song. “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack…” is one of the most memorable line’s of baseball’s unofficial anthem.

You’ve probably tried the salty, sweet snack. But did you know it was invented in Illinois?

Cracker Jack, invented by Lewis and F.W. Rueckheim, is another of the many famous products that debuted at Chicago’s 1893 World’s Fair.

The legend goes the product – made of peanuts, molasses and popcorn – got its name when a salesman tried it and shouted, “That’s cracker jack!”

By 1907, sports enthusiasts at Major League ballparks throughout the nation were munching on the popular snack. In 1908, it featured prominently in “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

Learn more:
The official Cracker Jack page on Frito-Lay’s website
The history of Cracker Jack
Listen to the tune and read the lyrics of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”