Article: Irish inventors have had some crazy Xmas ideas.. So were they geniuses before their time or simply CRACKERS.(Features)

Byline: TOM PRENDEVILLE

ALL of Ireland goes a bit crackers at Christmas.

But did you know there would be no crackers in the first place if it wasn't for the Irish?

Our Crazy Christmas Correspondent TOM PRENDEVILLE went digging for a few Yuletide surprises with an Irish twist.

And, as always, he pulled in a few tales of the unexpected.

CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

The modern Yuletide Christmas Cracker - invented circa 1870 - owes its origins to Colonel Jack Talbot, an Irish-born officer who served with the American Confederate Army.

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!