Snap, Crackle and Pop
Snap, Crackle and Pop are the cartoon mascots of Kellogg's breakfast cereal Rice Krispies. The three elf characters were originally designed by illustrator Vernon Grant (Died in 1990, at the age of 88) and made their debut in 1933. The names of the elves are derived from a Rice Krispies radio ad. The ad said "Listen to the fairy song of health, the merry chorus sung by Kellogg's Rice Krispies as they merrily snap, crackle, and pop in a bowl of milk. If you've never heard food talking, now is your chance." Inspired by this ad, Grant drew three elves and named them Snap, Crackle, and Pop. He brought the characters to Kellogg's, who bought them on the spot. Opinion varies concerning Crackle's occupation, but Snap is always portrayed as a baker and Pop as a soldier.
The Gnomes' large ears and noses have been softened and downsized over the years. With the introduction of television, the Snap! Crackle! Pop! campaign initially targeted such children's shows as The Howdy Doody Show. The voices of the original elves were provided by Daws Butler, Paul Winchell and Don Messick, and in more recent days by Chris Evans and Keith Chegwin, as well as Chad Doreck and Thom Adcox-Hernandez.
In the early 90s, the characters were changed from elves to superheroes, but this proved unpopular and they were eventually changed back.