Jack-in-the-box

This article is about the toy. For the restaurant, see Jack in the Box. For other uses, see Jack in the Box (disambiguation).
Two boys playing with a jack-in-the-box in an 1863 illustration
Jack-in-the-box after Paul Gavarni

A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy that outwardly consists of a music box with a crank.[1] When the crank is turned, a music box mechanism in the toy plays a melody. After the crank has been turned a sufficient number of times (such as at the end of the melody), the lid pops open and a figure, usually a clown or jester, pops out of the box. Some jacks-in-the-box open at random times when cranked, making the startle even more effective. Many of those that use "Pop Goes the Weasel" open at the point in the melody when the word "pop" would be sung. In 2005, the jack-in-the-box was inducted into the U.S. National Toy Hall of Fame,[2] where are displayed all types of versions of the toy, starting from the beginning versions, and ending with the most recently manufactured versions.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sobey2008 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Jack-in-the-Box". The Strong National Museum of Play. Retrieved 2022-09-30.