Friday Funnies

Animal crackers are not what they were years ago as far as price goes, but at least they're no longer caged on the box artwork.

In 1902, Nabisco (the National Biscuit Company) introduced Barnum's Animals.The crackers snack was based on P.T. Barnum’s popular circus and featured a colorful red and yellow box with illustrated animals in cages like train cars used to transport them. Before this, crackers were typically sold unpackaged in bulk from barrels or large tins.

Barnum’s crackers were cut in over 53 animal shapes. Over the years, children have bitten heads off lions, tigers, camels, kangaroos, zebras, elephants, sheep, tigers, camels, rhinos, hippos, zebras, bears, giraffes and more. While the exact animals in a box varies, rabbits nave never been included as they are not circus animals. The monkey was the only animal wearing any clothing, a pair of pants, but no reason was ever given.

Original 1902 Barnum's Animal crackers box

Back then, a box of animal crackers originally cost 5 cents. In the 1960s to 1970, individual or multi-box deals were commonly priced around two boxes for 25 cents before climbing to a dollar or more in later decades. In the late 20th (1970-1999) to early 21st century (2001-2020), single 2.13 oz boxes were in the $1.50 to $2.50 range. Prices have changed and now, a single box can go for $3 or more.

Recent price of a single box at a local CVS store

Did you know that Nabisco originally intended for the string to be used for hanging the box as an ornament on a Christmas tree? children could hang the empty box as a decoration after it was emptied. It later became a convenient way for them to tote their snacks. Around 8,000 miles of string is used annually for the boxes; over 40 million boxes are produced each year.

Animals are now uncaged on boxes

After 116 years, Nabisco uncaged the animals in 2018. They’re no longer shown behind bars in cages, but pictured roaming in grass. That change came after PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) pressured the company citing cruelty inflicted on circus animals.

Now you know a lot more about what may have been one of your favorite childhood snacks. I know they were one of mine.

Thanks for your comments on recent posts about our Yorkshire Dales trip. There's more to come in future posts. However, I'm taking a blog break for the next couple of weeks as we’re now on a(nother) adventure cruising the Snake and Columbia Rivers on an American Cruise Lines riverboat cruise.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone

Fall is proving to be our long-distance travel season