Everyone knows that New Orleans was the birthplace of Jazz, but do you know what else was born in this beautiful city of ours? Check out the things below to learn which New Orleans’ firsts are new to you. And see if the inventions you knew about made the list!
- Poker
Wikicommons / Public Domain While the exact origins of poker are hard to pinpoint, a lot of historians identify New Orleans in the early 19th century. Sailors who came in through the port are said to have loved this game…and gambling in general. Craps was also allegedly started in New Orleans.
- Higgins Boat
Wikicommons / US Navy – Official US Navy The Higgins boat was the innovative naval craft that served prominently during the D-Day invasion in WWII. But did you realize that these boats were invented in New Orleans? If you have visited the WWII museum, you probably did…and you can learn much more about them when you visit there!
- Dental Floss
Flickr.com / Earl This one is probably pretty surprising. But believe it or not, dental floss was allegedly invented right here. A variety of early dental and medical innovations were started in New Orleans actually.
- Cocktails
Flickr.com / Quinn Dombrowski If you have ever attended the Tales of the Cocktail event, you have probably heard the story. The sazerac was the original New Orleans cocktail…and reportedly the original cocktail in general! And it still tastes amazing after all of these years.
- Movie Theaters
cinematreasures.org The first Vitascope commercial movie theater opened right on Canal St. It had over 400 seats and was truly special. And it all started right in downtown New Orleans.
- Cotton Candy
Wikicommons / I, FocalPoint This is another one that is pretty surprising. Apparently, it was a dentist who invented it as well! Maybe he was trying to drum up more business by insisting people eat this sugary treat?
- Upscale Restaurants
Wikicommons / Infrogmation Have you ever had a meal at one of the classic New Orleans restaurants and thought wow, this is how all restaurants should be? Well, there’s no coincidence there. The fine dining experience was basically invented in this town, and we are home to some of the longest run restaurants in the entire country.
- Opera
Wikicommons / Louis Antoine Godey The French Opera house in New Orleans was built in the French Quarter. It was the first place Americans ever went to enjoy opera music.
- Cathedrals
Wikicommons / Royalpt78 Another first for New Orleans? Cathedrals. St. Louis cathedral is the longest-running still operating in the United States.
Did you know all of the things on this list were started in New Orleans? Do you have any others that you would add to this list? Let us know what your picks would be in the comments below. We love to hear your ideas and feedback.
Wikicommons / Public Domain
While the exact origins of poker are hard to pinpoint, a lot of historians identify New Orleans in the early 19th century. Sailors who came in through the port are said to have loved this game…and gambling in general. Craps was also allegedly started in New Orleans.
Wikicommons / US Navy – Official US Navy
The Higgins boat was the innovative naval craft that served prominently during the D-Day invasion in WWII. But did you realize that these boats were invented in New Orleans? If you have visited the WWII museum, you probably did…and you can learn much more about them when you visit there!
Flickr.com / Earl
This one is probably pretty surprising. But believe it or not, dental floss was allegedly invented right here. A variety of early dental and medical innovations were started in New Orleans actually.
Flickr.com / Quinn Dombrowski
If you have ever attended the Tales of the Cocktail event, you have probably heard the story. The sazerac was the original New Orleans cocktail…and reportedly the original cocktail in general! And it still tastes amazing after all of these years.
cinematreasures.org
The first Vitascope commercial movie theater opened right on Canal St. It had over 400 seats and was truly special. And it all started right in downtown New Orleans.
Wikicommons / I, FocalPoint
This is another one that is pretty surprising. Apparently, it was a dentist who invented it as well! Maybe he was trying to drum up more business by insisting people eat this sugary treat?
Wikicommons / Infrogmation
Have you ever had a meal at one of the classic New Orleans restaurants and thought wow, this is how all restaurants should be? Well, there’s no coincidence there. The fine dining experience was basically invented in this town, and we are home to some of the longest run restaurants in the entire country.
Wikicommons / Louis Antoine Godey
The French Opera house in New Orleans was built in the French Quarter. It was the first place Americans ever went to enjoy opera music.
Wikicommons / Royalpt78
Another first for New Orleans? Cathedrals. St. Louis cathedral is the longest-running still operating in the United States.
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