Why are animal crackers, crackers?

Question

and not cookies.

Answer 1

The product we know today as Animal Crackers came into being in 1902, but it they had existed in similar forms for generations. In the late 1800s, ‘Animals’ (animal shaped fancy cookies) were imported from England. Many of the small, local bakeries in America made different versions called 'Animals' or 'Circus Crackers'. Bakeries began to unite into larger companies with regional and eventual national distribution at the end of the 19th century. One of these was the National Biscuit Company. Packaging became an important factor in marketing on a national scale. Their ‘Animal Biscuits’ were officially renamed 'Barnum's Animals' in 1902. During the Christmas season, the package was redesigned as a circus wagon with a string attached to it, so it could be hung as a Christmas tree ornament. They sold for 5 cents, and they were an immediate hit.

In total there have been 37 different varieties of animal crackers since 1902. The current 17 varieties of crackers are tigers, cougars, camels, rhinoceros, kangaroos, hippopotami, bison, lions, hyenas, zebras, elephants, sheep, bears, gorillas, monkeys, seals, and giraffes. There are 22 crackers per box.


also check out

http://www.fhsu.edu/biology/Eberle/AnimalCookies.html

Answer 2

the original person who named them "crackers" named them what he wanted to. the formula has been changed over the years. they may have started out as crackers and then the formula changed to include sugar and frosting. It made them more appealing.

Answer 3

probably marketing strategy. animal cookies doesn't flow as well as animal crackers.

Answer 4

I think it is because they are crackers. They don't have any sugar so they are not a cookie. Hell, I dunno.