From medical discoveries to jet planes, Buffalonians have created some seriously impressive inventions throughout history. Here are ten totally awesome things that you might not know originated right here in our very own Queen City:
- Air conditioners
allan rostron - Flickr You might think the birthplace of the air conditioner would be somewhere a bit warmer, but it was invented right here by Willis Carrier in 1902.
- Pacemakers
Andria - Flickr Wilson Greatbach invented the first implantable pacemaker while tinkering in his barn in 1958. The first patient to receive one of his devices was a 77-year-old who lived 18 months thanks to the invention!
- Chicken wings
wEnDy - Flickr Where would we be without the Anchor Bar and Teressa Bellissimo’s late-night invention of the chicken wing? Sad and hungry, that’s where.
- Steam-powered grain elevators
BriYYZ - Flickr Back in the day, Buffalo was a titan of industry - largely thanks the first steam-powered grain elevators sitting on our shores. Our city still smells like Cheerios thanks to the General Mills elevators working today on Michigan Avenue!
- Daycare centers
njxw - Flickr Buffalo is home to the first daycare center in the United States, which was started for working mothers in 1881. What an adorable bit of history!
- Jet planes
shrinkin’violet - Flickr The first American jet engine plane was built in secrecy by Bell Aircraft on Main Street in what is now the Tri-Main Center. Who knew?
- Skin grafts
VCU Libraries - Flickr A doctor from Buffalo is credited with completing the first successful skin graft on a patient with a severe leg injury in 1854.
- Railroad suspension bridges
Mike Freedman - Flickr Buffalo was the birthplace of the first railroad suspension bridge in the world, which spanned over 825 feet across the Niagara Gorge.
- Ball jars
Eric Kilby - Flickr The Ball jar was created in Buffalo by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. You’re welcome, canners and shabby-chic decor lovers!
- Direct mail advertising campaigns
Danny Oosterveer - Flickr Father Baker created the first known direct mail advertising campaign to request financial assistance for his charitable work at Our Lady of Victory. While we’re now living in a mainly digital era, direct mail campaigns are still widely used to this day!
How’s that for Buffalo pride? Did you know these things came from our city?
allan rostron - Flickr
You might think the birthplace of the air conditioner would be somewhere a bit warmer, but it was invented right here by Willis Carrier in 1902.
Andria - Flickr
Wilson Greatbach invented the first implantable pacemaker while tinkering in his barn in 1958. The first patient to receive one of his devices was a 77-year-old who lived 18 months thanks to the invention!
wEnDy - Flickr
Where would we be without the Anchor Bar and Teressa Bellissimo’s late-night invention of the chicken wing? Sad and hungry, that’s where.
BriYYZ - Flickr
Back in the day, Buffalo was a titan of industry - largely thanks the first steam-powered grain elevators sitting on our shores. Our city still smells like Cheerios thanks to the General Mills elevators working today on Michigan Avenue!
njxw - Flickr
Buffalo is home to the first daycare center in the United States, which was started for working mothers in 1881. What an adorable bit of history!
shrinkin’violet - Flickr
The first American jet engine plane was built in secrecy by Bell Aircraft on Main Street in what is now the Tri-Main Center. Who knew?
VCU Libraries - Flickr
A doctor from Buffalo is credited with completing the first successful skin graft on a patient with a severe leg injury in 1854.
Mike Freedman - Flickr
Buffalo was the birthplace of the first railroad suspension bridge in the world, which spanned over 825 feet across the Niagara Gorge.
Eric Kilby - Flickr
The Ball jar was created in Buffalo by the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company. You’re welcome, canners and shabby-chic decor lovers!
Danny Oosterveer - Flickr
Father Baker created the first known direct mail advertising campaign to request financial assistance for his charitable work at Our Lady of Victory. While we’re now living in a mainly digital era, direct mail campaigns are still widely used to this day!
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