Washington DC is home to some smart, innovative and inventive people. And some of them created some cool and unique things while living here! Here are eight things that were invented in Washington DC.
- 7th Inning Stretch
Flickr/Nathalie Cone There are a few theories about the origin of the seventh inning stretch but this one is our favorite! The story is that in 1910, President William Howard Taft was watching the opening game of the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium. During the seventh inning he stood up because he was feeling cramped in his seat. The crowd thought he was leaving so they all rose out of respect. And that’s how the seventh inning stretch was born!
- Telegraph messages
Flickr/Andy Armstrong Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message in 1844 from Washington DC to Baltimore. The first message was a quote from the Bible.
- Rickey
Flickr/Zach Copley The Rickey is one of the “official” cocktails of DC because it was born here! In the late 1880s, Joe Rickey, a lobbyist, was drinking in a DC bar called Shoo’s. The story is he taught bartender George Williamson how to make it and the Rickey would go down in history.
- Half smoke
Flickr/Kevin Harber Another delicious food concoction made in DC is the half-smoke. This delicious sausage delicacy was originally made and sold by DC’s Briggs and Co. meatpackers in 1950.
- Blood banks
Flickr/US Embassy New Delhi Dr. Charles Drew, a native Washingtonian, is credited with creating blood banks during World War II. It is said that Dr. Drew’s efforts helped medics save thousands of lives for the Allied forces.
- Go-go music
Flickr/Rob Go-go music is a regional music style blending funk, rhythm and blues and hop hop. It started in DC in the late 60s and early 70s. Many people tribute go-go to Chuck Brown, who was known as “The Godfather of Go-Go” but there were many bands and musicians in the DC clubs who started playing the style at that time.
- Binder clip
Flickr/Mando Gomez Yes, those handy office supplies were in fact created in DC! Washingtonian Louis Baltzey invented the binder clip in 1910.
- America’s first clock
Flickr/Mr.TinDC Inventor Benjamin Banneker created America’s first clock in the 1700s after studying the components of a pocket watch. Banneker would contribute to the country in many other ways including being one of the architects who helped to plan DC.
Are you surprised by any of these things? Add to your DC knowledge with these 16 fun true facts about the district!
Flickr/Nathalie Cone
There are a few theories about the origin of the seventh inning stretch but this one is our favorite! The story is that in 1910, President William Howard Taft was watching the opening game of the Washington Senators at Griffith Stadium. During the seventh inning he stood up because he was feeling cramped in his seat. The crowd thought he was leaving so they all rose out of respect. And that’s how the seventh inning stretch was born!
Flickr/Andy Armstrong
Samuel Morse sent the first telegraph message in 1844 from Washington DC to Baltimore. The first message was a quote from the Bible.
Flickr/Zach Copley
The Rickey is one of the “official” cocktails of DC because it was born here! In the late 1880s, Joe Rickey, a lobbyist, was drinking in a DC bar called Shoo’s. The story is he taught bartender George Williamson how to make it and the Rickey would go down in history.
Flickr/Kevin Harber
Another delicious food concoction made in DC is the half-smoke. This delicious sausage delicacy was originally made and sold by DC’s Briggs and Co. meatpackers in 1950.
Flickr/US Embassy New Delhi
Dr. Charles Drew, a native Washingtonian, is credited with creating blood banks during World War II. It is said that Dr. Drew’s efforts helped medics save thousands of lives for the Allied forces.
Flickr/Rob
Go-go music is a regional music style blending funk, rhythm and blues and hop hop. It started in DC in the late 60s and early 70s. Many people tribute go-go to Chuck Brown, who was known as “The Godfather of Go-Go” but there were many bands and musicians in the DC clubs who started playing the style at that time.
Flickr/Mando Gomez
Yes, those handy office supplies were in fact created in DC! Washingtonian Louis Baltzey invented the binder clip in 1910.
Flickr/Mr.TinDC
Inventor Benjamin Banneker created America’s first clock in the 1700s after studying the components of a pocket watch. Banneker would contribute to the country in many other ways including being one of the architects who helped to plan DC.
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