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When most Americans think of animal crackers, Barnum’s classic red box probably comes to mind.
Nabisco’s version of the circus, however, was not the first animal toy sold in the United States.
Long before Barnum’s became a staple, the Pennsylvania bakery was already producing the unpopular snack after animal crackers gained popularity overseas.
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Animal crackers were first made in England in the mid-1800s before being imported to the United States, according to the food and dining website Tasting Table.
Barnum’s Animal Crackers is an unfamiliar staple that generations of Americans recognize instantly. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In 1871, baker David F. Stauffer began producing crackers in York, Pennsylvania, through what became the DF Stauffer Biscuit Company, now known as Stauffers, according to the company.
At that time, crackers were often sold in large barrels and bought by weight rather than individually packed. Stauffer reportedly delivered produce across town using a wheelbarrow before expanding to horse-drawn wagons and rail shipments as demand grew.
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The company still sells its classic animal crackers today, shaped like elephants, lions, camels, bears and tigers.
Animal crackers originated in England in the mid-19th century before making their way to the United States. (Stock)
Today, Stauffers operates as a subsidiary of Meiji America Inc. and remains headquartered in York, Pennsylvania, where it continues to manufacture snack products in the United States, according to the company.
Decades after the Stauffers began producing the snack, the National Biscuit Company, now known as Nabisco, introduced Barnum’s Animal Crackers.
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The product was inspired by the popularity of the Barnum & Bailey Circus and was packaged in a now used circus train box designed to resemble a Christmas ornament.
Crackers quickly became one of America’s most recognizable snacks and have remained a grocery store staple for generations past.
Crackers have grown to become one of America’s most popular snacks and continue to hold a permanent place on grocery store shelves today. (Stock)
Today, animal crackers continue to unite generations, with brands including Nabisco, Stauffers, Trader Joe’s and Costco all selling their own versions.
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On social media, many users expressed nostalgia related to the snack.
“As a little girl, I always felt so cool carrying this box around the grocery store. It was like a little purse to me,” wrote one Reddit user.
Another person added, “It brings back a lot of memories.”
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the Barnums for further comment.
