where did christmas crackers originate

Christmas crackers are a traditional English Christmas tradition that originated in the late 1800s. They were invented by Tom Smith, a confectioner who was inspired by the popping sounds of the logs in his fireplace. He created the first cracker in 1847 and sold them as "Bangs of Expectation" in his shop in London. The crackers were originally sold as a novelty item, but they quickly gained popularity and became associated with Christmas celebrations. Today, Christmas crackers are a staple of many Christmas tables around the world, and they are filled with trinkets, jokes, and small gifts.