What are the names of the Cracker Jack snack food mascots?

Cracker Jack's Mascots Sailor Jack and his dog Bingo were introduced as early as 1916 and registered as a trademark in 1919. Sailor Jack was modeled after Robert Rueckheim, grandson of Frederick.

Robert, the son of the third and eldest Rueckheim brother, Edward, died of pneumonia shortly after his image appeared at the age of 8. The sailor boy image acquired such meaning for the founder of Cracker Jack that he had it carved on his tombstone, which can still be seen in St. Henry's Cemetery in Chicago.

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. Russell died of old age in 1930.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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55 Comments

Claudia Heilke

Are we to assume that Frederick Rueckheim was the founder since the sailor was modeled after his grandson? And who the hell is Henry Eckstein that he could demand the image of his dog be used on the packaging?

Fred Zeb Fudpucker

Claudia Heilke, "Back in the day when most snacks came in bulk or were sold in tins, bags, or jars, Cracker Jack developed cardboard packaging that allowed it to distribute far and wide. Invented by company partner Henry Eckstein, the company’s "triple-proof packaging" was one of the first wax-sealed cardboard containers in the industry." That's why he could demand the use of his dog's image on the package!

Graham Hadley

There was a picture on the pack of a sailer and a dog so simple deduction

Joanne

The quote inside my Cracker Jack, once said "beware of red heads" ...I'm a "red head" I said with a chuckle !

Jen

the prizes back in the day were so great!! I still have a metal whistle from those golden popcorn and peanut treats!!!

drfozzie

Claudia Heilke, Eckstein was one of the company partners who developed a packaging method. So I guess he felt justified demanding the dog be on the package.

kay

It really does not test your knowledge if you Google it. I do not Google before answering.

tinaloflin

Mike Gunn, I have been eating Cracker Jack, Peanut Butter Logs, Butterfinger, since I was a small kid. ( Over 50 years ago!!) What do you remember from your childhood? I would love to know!!

tinaloflin

I love Cracker Jack. I could do without the prize, which isn't as nice as the ones we got as children. If they had a mini jigsaw puzzle, I would love to get that.