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A jack-in-the box

A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy that outwardly consists of a box with a crank. When the crank is turned, it plays a melody, often "Pop Goes the Weasel". At the end of the tune, the lid pops open and a figure, usually a clown or jester, pops out of the box.

Origin

The first mechanical or wind-up toys were made back in Grecian times - but the art was revived by watch makers and clock makers during the 1400s. Early in the 1500s,^[1] a German clockmaker named Claus made a box for a local prince whose son was about to celebrate his fifth birthday. A simple wooden box with metal edges and a handle, and with a turn of the crank produced a simple tune and out popped a 'Jack,' a Devil, a comical version with a leering smile. Other nobles took note of the child's toy and the idea spread. Technology by the 1700s meant that it was a 'common toy' or novelty often in use for all ages. It was around this time that the image of a devil in a box became cartoon fodder for rouge politicians and other public figures held to ridicule.

Another theory as to the origin of the jack-in-the-box is that it comes from the 13th century English prelate Sir John Schorne, who is often pictured holding a boot with a devil in it. According to folklore, he once cast the devil into a boot to protect the village of North Marston in Buckinghamshire. This theory may explain why in French, a jack-in-the-box is called a "diable en boîte" (literally "boxed devil").

Influence on culture

The Jack-in-the-Box toy has had a widespread effect on culture:

In Shakespeare's Cymbeline, the villain Iachimo hides in a box - literally a Jack in the Box, and also a 'boxed devil'.
The toy gave its name to the fast food restaurant chain Jack in the Box, which features a mascot named "Jack" who resembles a toy clown from a jack-in-the-box.^[2]
A jack-in-the-box named "Charlie-in-the-box" serves as the sentry to the Island of Misfit Toys in the Christmas movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Kurt Busiek's Astro City comic book series includes a Silver Age-style hero named after this toy.
Zebedee, a character in The Magic Roundabout, is a Jack-in-the-box without the box.
In an episode of Family Guy when the family is at the toy store, Lois says she has something for Stewie, to which Stewie remarks "Oh, let me guess, you're going to give me a box with a crank that you expect me to turn and turn until "Oh!" A jack pops out. You laugh, and the dog laughs, and the kids laugh, and I die a little more inside..."
In The Neverhood video game, the protagonist named Klaymen finds a little box with a crank. He turns the crank eagerly as the musical box plays well known sounds of "Pop Goes the Weasel". But after playing sounds matching the first three lines, music stops and Klaymen starts to turn the crank anxiously, and then peruses the box, suspecting that it just jammed. Then suddenly from a wall behind the protagonist pops the Weasel - an enormous monster, not weasel-like at all - and, as the music is resumed (now in a hard rock - panic run style), starts to chase poor Klaymen.
The magic and mystery of Christopher R. Coppola’s Genie jack-in-the-box, in a short movie entitled "I Am," a magical imp stuck inside of a jammed box gets freed when two homeless boys kick it into a trash heap by accident.^[3]
In Deadwood, during the episode Constant Throb, the town of Deadwood is compared to a Jack-In-The-Box with Hurst turning the crank, toying with the residents. It is then noted that the Jack-In-The-Box once owned by one of the residents would never jump, no matter how much the crank was turned.
The Doctor Who episode "Kinda" featured a Jack-in-the-box, after a fashion.
A "George-in-the-box" has also been made, where the Jack is made in the likeness of former president George W. Bush standing at his podium. The handle at the side causes "Hail to the Chief" to play, appropriately enough.
A jack-in-the-box (affectionately called "Jack") is featured as one of the grandfather's toys in Grandpa's Magical Toys.
Insane Clown Posse's 3rd "Joker's Card" concept album, The Riddlebox is a somewhat evil looking jack-in-the-box.

References

[1] ttp://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/sund/dreamgirl/histtoys.html

[2] ttp://www.jonentine.com/ethical_edge/jack_crisis.htm

[3] ttp://pahnation.com/blogshobo/?page_id=3

[1]

[2]

[3]

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 ==Origin==
+The first mechanical or wind-up toys were made back in Grecian times - but the art was revived by watch makers and clock makers during the 1400s. Early in the 1500s,<ref>http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ug02/sund/dreamgirl/histtoys.html</ref> a German clockmaker named Claus made a box for a local prince whose son was about to celebrate his fifth birthday. A simple wooden box with metal edges and a handle, and with a turn of the crank produced a simple tune and out popped a 'Jack,' a Devil, a comical version with a leering smile. Other nobles took note of the child's toy and the idea spread. Technology by the 1700s meant that it was a 'common toy' or novelty often in use for all ages. It was around this time that the image of a devil in a box became cartoon fodder for rouge politicians and other public figures held to ridicule.
-A theory as to the origin of the jack-in-the-box is that it comes from the 13th century [[England|English]] [[prelate]] [[John Schorne|Sir John Schorne]], who is often pictured holding a [[boot]] with a [[devil]] in it.  According to [[folklore]], he once cast the devil into a boot to protect the village of [[North Marston]] in [[Buckinghamshire]]. This theory may explain why in French, a jack-in-the-box is called a "''diable en boîte''" (literally "boxed devil").
+Another theory as to the origin of the jack-in-the-box is that it comes from the 13th century [[England|English]] [[prelate]] [[John Schorne|Sir John Schorne]], who is often pictured holding a [[boot]] with a [[devil]] in it.  According to [[folklore]], he once cast the devil into a boot to protect the village of [[North Marston]] in [[Buckinghamshire]]. This theory may explain why in French, a jack-in-the-box is called a "''diable en boîte''" (literally "boxed devil").
 ==Influence on culture==