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It’s time for another whimsical Tuesday Turnip search wherein I type a random phrase and we see what kind of interesting factoids “turn-up.”
As always with this feature, the _floss is not responsible for accuracy. This is a random Internet search. If you know one of these facts to be untrue, by all means, let the world know in the comments below. Today I typed in “Pittsburgh” + “the first city to” unearthing the following from many different Web sites:
1. First Big Mac - 1967. Created by Jim Delligatti at his Uniontown McDonald’s, the Big Mac debuted and was test marketed in three other Pittsburgh-area McDonald’s restaurants in 1967… Bellevue and Butler. By 1968 it was a mainstay on McDonald’s menus throughout the country and eventually, the world.
2. The Smiley was the first Internet emoticon, created in 1980, by Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist Scott Fahlman.
3. First Polio Vaccine - March 26, 1953. The polio vaccine was developed by Dr. Jonas E. Salk, a 38-year-old University of Pittsburgh researcher and professor, and his staff at the University of Pittsburgh.
4. First U.S. Public Television Station - WQED - April 1, 1954. WQED, operated by the Metropolitan Pittsburgh educational Station, was the first community-sponsored educational television station in America and was also the first to telecast classes to elementary schools (1955).
5. The First Gas Station - December, 1913. In 1913, the first automobile service station, built by Gulf Refining Company, opened in Pittsburgh at Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street in East Liberty. It was designed by J.H. Giesey.
6. First Robotics Institute - 1979. The Robotics Institute at Carnegie
Mellon University was established in 1979 to conduct basic and applied research in robotics technologies relevant to industrial and societal tasks.
7. First Banana Split - 1904. The banana split was invented by Dr. David Strickler, a pharmacist, at Strickler’s Drug Store in La trobe, Pennsylvania.
8. First Mr. Yuk Sticker - 1971. Mr. Yuk was created at the Poison Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after research indicated that the skull and crossbones previously used to identify poisons had little meaning to the children of today (for most children it means exciting things like pirates and adventure). Covering 27 counties and 33 percent of Pennsylvania ’s population, the Pittsburgh Poison Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh is the largest such center in the United States.
9. First Ferris Wheel - 1892/1893. The first Ferris Wheel, invented by Pittsburgh native and civil engineer, George Washington Gale Ferris (1859-1896) was in operation at the World’s Fair (Columbian Exposition) in Chicago. It was over 264 feet high and was capable of carrying more than 2,000 passengers at a time.
10. First Night World Series Game - 1971. Game 4 of the 1971 World Series was the first night game in Series history. Pittsburgh tied the series in that game with a 4-3 win and went on to win the series, 4 games to 3. This was one of the last big moments in the career of well-loved Pirate, Roberto Clemente. Fourteen and a half months after the 1971 World Series, he died in a plane crash off the coast of his native Puerto Rico as he attempted to take food, clothing and medical supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
11. First Bingo Game - Hugh J. Ward first came up with the concept of bingo in Pittsburgh and began running the game at carnivals in the early 1920s, taking it nation-wide in 1924. He secured a copyright on the game and wrote a book of Bingo rules in1933.
12. First Pull-Tab on Cans - 1962. The pull-tab was developed by Alcoa and was first used by Iron City Brewery in 1962. For many years, pull-tabs were only used in this area.
And if you love all things Pitt, be sure to check out my post on Pittsburghese
Browse through past Tuesday Turnips here>>
George Washington Gale Ferris was born in Galesburg, IL
posted by Suan on 2-19-2008 at 4:12 am
Awww, Pittsburgh rocks.
posted by Alison on 2-19-2008 at 6:52 am
KQED may want to claim to be first public station but KUHT signed on the air at 5 p.m. on May 25, 1953. I am certain that there are other stations that can make similar “claims”.
posted by Who was first? on 2-19-2008 at 6:55 am
Great List!
I also believe one of Pittsburgh’s “Big First’s” was the first commercial radio station: KDKA.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDKA_%28AM%29
Now I’m all nostalgic for my hometown… :)
posted by John Vilsack on 2-19-2008 at 7:04 am
Let’s go Pens!
posted by Jeff on 2-19-2008 at 7:14 am
as far as i’m aware, pittsburgh is also the first (and only) city to be named #1 twice (in 1985 and 2007) on the places rated almanac’s list of most livable cities.
posted by lala on 2-19-2008 at 7:14 am
I grew up 60 miles from the ‘Burgh. It’s my favorite “big city!”
posted by Lisa on 2-19-2008 at 7:17 am
I always read and never comment but I couldn’t resist. As a life long Pittsburgher I appreciate the shout out! Keep up the good work.
posted by JeMar on 2-19-2008 at 8:34 am
According to my sources, the first public television station was KUHT in Houston, TX, which began broadcasting in June, 1953.
posted by Dail on 2-19-2008 at 8:49 am
The first
simultaneous heart, liver, and kidney transplant was done at
Presbyterian-University Hospital, December 3, 1989. And, the STEELERS were purchased by Art Rooney Sr. for $2500…they were
originally the Canton Bulldogs. They are the first team to win four
super bowls, now five after six appearances, and the first team to get
in the playoffs as a wild card and go all the way to win the Super Bowl.
posted by Christie on 2-19-2008 at 8:56 am
Mr. Rodgers’ memory still makes us all a little warm and fuzzy, thanks to WQED. He was the first to appeal to congress for funding of decency in children’s television.
posted by Claudia on 2-19-2008 at 9:00 am
Yay Pittsburgh! Now I’m really hungry for a Primanti sammich!
posted by Sammy on 2-19-2008 at 9:53 am
too bad the game bingo first started out as bean-o (named so because players covered the spaces with beans) who would ever guess the amazing fact generator would have shown me that?
posted by chris on 2-19-2008 at 10:06 am
Such a great list - especially that today is the 40th Anniversary of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood on tv. There’s an article in today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
posted by Michele on 2-19-2008 at 10:23 am
Nice list!
KDKA was the first commercial radio station.
Salk and his team developed the first working polio vaccine. Sadly, there were some previous attempts to test a polio vaccine in humans and they failed.
Lala is right about Pittsburgh being t he first city to be “Most Livable” by Places Rated Almanac.
posted by Laurie D. T. Mann on 2-19-2008 at 10:28 am
Well, the last sentence should have said:
Lala is right about Pittsburgh being t he first city to be “Most Livable” by Places Rated Almanac twice.
posted by Laurie D. T. Mann on 2-19-2008 at 10:29 am
Great list. Makes me proud to be a yinzer.
posted by Greco on 2-19-2008 at 11:01 am
Please note the grammatical/spelling error: “7. First Banana Split - 1904. The banana split was invented by Dr. David Strickler, a pharmacist, at Strickler’s Drug Store in La trobe, Pennsylvania.”
It is spelled “Latrobe,” and it also the former home of Rolling Rock Beer.
posted by Brian on 2-19-2008 at 12:16 pm
This is a great post! I miss Pittsburgh so much. Now I’m craving an Original dog and gravy fries… ah, the hometown.
posted by Zoë on 2-19-2008 at 12:33 pm
There are a number of Pittsburghers - myself included - who are boycotting Rolling Rock since they left Latrobe.
Sorry: since they left Latrobe an’at.
posted by Melissa on 2-19-2008 at 12:46 pm
The post on Pittsburghese is fabulous. I like the debate over the second sound clip - about how people from Pittsburgh phrase questions like the Irish. It’s so distinct! I’ve lost my accent but whenever I go home I pick it up again.
posted by Zoë on 2-19-2008 at 12:51 pm
Pittsburgh is amazing!
posted by Ash on 2-19-2008 at 2:47 pm
Pittsburgh rocks! Go Steelers!
posted by Elizabeth on 2-19-2008 at 8:53 pm
Great to see Pgh. getting the recognition it deserves.
posted by Jim on 2-20-2008 at 6:40 am
What the heck happened to the steeler in ‘08?????!!!!
posted by ross.janelizabeth on 2-22-2008 at 10:04 pm
It sure is great to see so many Western PA people on here! Glad I’m not alone!
posted by Kevin on 12-22-2008 at 1:52 pm