New ideas and inventions are thought up every day. Some will work, some won’t, and some are not very useful at all. The most impressive things are the ones that have lasted throughout time and are still used today. From constitutional laws to gadgets, here are 17 things that came from Vermont and are here to stay. While you are likely familiar with these things, you may not have known that they originally came from Vermont.

1. Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
Flickr/Garret Voight
Vermont trivia enthusiasts might be aware that Vermont issued the first stamp in the United States. Philatelists (people who study and collect stamps) credit Brattleboro with producing America's first postage stamp in 1846.
2. Need a lift?
Flickr/Bjørn Bulthuis
The first rope tow for skiers in the United States was installed in Woodstock in 1934 by Bob and Betty Royce, proprietors of the White Cupboard Inn. Wallace "Bunny" Bertram took it over for the second season, improved the operation, and changed the name from Ski-Way to Ski Tow. He eventually moved it to what became the eastern fringe of Vermont's major southern ski areas, a regional resort still operating as Suicide Six.
3. Check, please!
Flickr/401(K) 2012
The first Social Security check was issued to Ida M. Fuller of Ludlow who received check #000-000-001 for $22.54, January 31, 1940.
4. Love is love.
Flickr/sushiesque
In 2000, the Vermont civil union bill was a landmark in the fight over gay marriages. For the first time, a state allowed gay couples to have all the same benefits as married couples under state law.
5. Equality for all.
Flickr/Don Shall
Vermont was the first state to abolish slavery in their constitution in 1777.
6. Let us decide.
Flickr/CT Senate Democrats
In 2014, Vermont passed a mandatory genetically modified (GM) ingredient labeling law that requires most human food products containing GM ingredients to include on-package labeling. This was the first mandatory-labeling law for genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
7. Banned!
Flickr/Public Herald
Vermont signed a bill making it the first U.S. state to ban fracking, the controversial practice to extract natural gas from the ground.
8. That makes cents.
Flickr/slgckgc
Vermont was the first state to mint a copper penny. They were authorized by the Vermont General Assembly in 1785 and made by Reuben Harmon.

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9. Attention, class.
Flickr/Don Shall
Vermont's 1777 constitution made it the first state to mandate public funding for universal education.
10. Marvelous marble.
Flickr/Chris Warren
The country's first commercial marble quarry was opened in South Dorset by Isaac Underhill in 1785.
11. What a wonderful world.
Flickr/beana_cheese
The first globe factory was established in 1813 by James Wilson of Bradford for the manufacture of geographic globes. Wilson made the first artificial globe in America in 1799, and in 1813, he opened the first geographic globe factory in the US and sold his initial 13-inch globe for $50.
12. It's hip to be square.
Flickr/Sherif
Silas Hawes, a blacksmith living in South Shaftsbury, decided to make rules, or squares, which were used by carpenters (and still are). He sold them for $6-$7 each, as there was a big demand for them, and he obtained a patent and in 1817 began manufacturing them.
13. We salute you.
wikipedia.org
Norwich was the first of all private military colleges in the nation and is the birthplace of ROTC. Norwich was also the first private institution in the country to teach engineering.
14. The fish are biting.
Flickr/Ilkka Jukarainen
The first fishing spoon lure was invented in 1830 by Julio Buel of Castleton, Vermont.
15. Scratch that.
Flickr/John
The first recorded use of sandpaper was in 1st-century China when crushed shells, seeds, and sand were bonded to parchment using natural gum. A process for making sandpaper was patented in the United States on June 14, 1834 by Isaac Fischer, Jr., of Springfield.
16. Step on it.
wikimedia.org
The first platform scale was built by Thaddeus Fairbanks at St. Johnsbury in 1830.
17. It's no laughing matter.
Flickr/Nate Grigg
Laughing gas was discovered by Gardner Colton of Georgia. Dental patients everywhere are certainly glad for this discovery!

Did you know about these things that came from Vermont? Which other interesting things about Vermont have you learned?  Please share other things you may know of that came from the 802. We look forward to reading your responses. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts with us.

Want to read more? Check out the 17 things everyone in Vermont absolutely loves.

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things that came from Vermont

Luke | July 27, 2020

Is Vermont a great place to live?

The answer is a resounding YES. Not only does Vermont have stunning landscapes and endless natural locations to enjoy, but the state also has excellent food, safe cities, great schools, and down-to-earth people. Vermont is an environmentally aware place that focuses on healthy living styles and is socially and environmentally aware and considerate, which all makes Vermont a welcoming and prosperous place for all.

What stereotypes are there about Vermont?

Where to even start… First of all, Vermont is simply an amazing state that has so much to offer, like gorgeous and peaceful nature areas. And one stereotype about Vermont is that there’s not much else except mountains, forests, lakes, and more nature. Vermont also has the stereotype of being the holiday destination place for city folk like New Yorkers, Bostonians, and Montrealers. Some other prevalent stereotypes are that we never have a spring season or that our winters last half a year. In reality, Vermont has much more to offer than just cold temperatures and nature spots.

What is the most scenic town in Vermont?

It would be nearly impossible to name just one town; there are so many beautiful towns in the Green Mountain State. But with that said, here are the five most scenic towns in Vermont, not necessarily in order: 1. Manchester; 2. Woodstock; 3. Grafton; 4. Stowe; 5. Shelburne. Naturally, there are many other scenic towns in Vermont. If you are still interested in discovering other picturesque towns, check out the 17 most picturesque towns in Vermont.

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