Some People Don’t Know That Chicago Was The First To Do These 11 Things
By Elizabeth Crozier|Updated on June 13, 2023(Originally published June 08, 2023)
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
Chicagoans love to boast about our accomplishments, and really, is it any wonder why? There are so many great things from Chicago, from deep dish pizza to the music of Earth, Wind, & Fire. There are so many amazing things from Chicago history, and really, we’re proud of all our accomplishments. Whether you’re talking about things that make your life easier to things that make your life sweeter, there’s no shortage of Chicago firsts. Our great city has played a major role in curating some major aspects of everyday life, across the nation and the world! These 11 things invented in Chicago are certainly near the top of the list when it comes to Chi-town accomplishments. Check them out:
1. Next time you use your vacuum cleaner, thank the Windy City. The vacuum was invented here in 1869.
It didn't look too much like a modern-day vacuum: it was made from wood and canvas. It was originally sold under the name "Whirlwind" and was designed by inventor Ives W. McGaffey. Believe it or not, it required a hand crank to power! These devices were sold for $25 each in both Chicago and Boston. The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 destroyed all but two of the unsold vacuums.
2. Those iconic farm silos you see along the road were invented here in 1870.
Prior to this revolutionary invention, grain was stored in pits in the ground. A graduate of the University of Illinois (then called the Illinois Industrial University) built the first silo on his family's farm in Spring Grove. This changed the typical farm landscape from then on out!
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3. The first skyscraper was erected in Chicago in 1885.
The Home Insurance Building was considered the world's first skyscraper. It was built in 1885 and stood 138 feet tall, with 10 stories. The steel building was demolished in 1931. The tallest building in Chicago today, the Sears/Willis Tower, is 10 times that height!
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4. Yet another time-saving thing invented in Chicago: the dishwasher, back in 1887.
As far as Chicago firsts go, this one certainly played a huge part in saving time for the average American family! Some had come up with concepts for this appliance in previous years, but Josephine Cochrane was the first to invent the model that would later be used worldwide. The original device was known as "lavaplatos."
5. Did you know that yellow pencils were another Chicago first for America? They were invented in 1889.
These iconic writing tools were actually first introduced to the world in Paris. However, the American debut was right here in Chicago, at the World's Columbian Exposition. They were invented by an Austrian company and made with graphite from the Far East. The original pencils had 14 coats of yellow paint, which was symbolic of royalty at the time.
The Ferris Wheel was another invention debuted at the World's Columbian Exposition. George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. invented his famous wheel to be an astounding attraction, and it definitely was. Before it was named for its inventor, it was actually called the Chicago Wheel. You can enjoy a replica of the original Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier today.
7. Glad your pants stay up? Thank a zipper! It was invented in Chicago in 1893.
The first zippers were called "clasp lockers" - "zipper" is certainly much more fun to say. You wouldn't be able to keep your pants up without this invention! It's another thing from Chicago debuted at the World's Columbian Exposition. Inventor Whitcomb L. Judson actually originally intended the device to be used for shoes.
8. This one may not be quite as life-altering as zippers or vacuum cleaners, but we're certainly thankful for brownies. They were a Chicago first from 1893.
This was yet another treat made to wow visitors of the World's Columbian Exposition. The first brownies were baked by the wife of a millionaire who owned the Palmer House. Her recipe included semi-sweet chocolate, topped with crushed walnuts, and drizzled with an apricot glaze. Yum!
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9. One of the country's first African American cardiologists performed an open-heart surgery here in 1893.
Daniel Hale Williams is credited with one of the first recorded open-heart surgeries in the world. To make matters even more astounding, he was an African American surgeon in a time when few African Americans were even allowed to work in hospitals. Williams opened his own hospital to meet the needs of the African American community in a segregated world.
10. The gay rights movement arguably started in Chicago back in 1924.
The Society of Human Rights was a short-lived organization that's often called the first gay rights group in America. It paved the way for many that would come in the following decades. The organization also produced a publication for the gay community.
11. Love Big Macs? McDonald's was invented in Chicago in 1955!
Des Plaines is known for being home of the first McDonald's franchise in the country. Some others were already in existence at the time, but ours was the first to be designed with the signature arches and the traditional McDonald's look that we all know and love.
As you can see, many of these things invented in Chicago were designed for the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893. This fair was created to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean blue in 1492. The event featured a large reflecting pool made to represent the long voyage over from Spain. Chicago competed with New York City, Washington D.C., and St. Louis for the honor of hosting the event. Chicagoans took the fair very seriously, and so many Chicago firsts occurred around this time!
Do you know of any other things invented in Chicago? Share your facts in the comments: We love hearing about Chicago history.
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More to Explore
Chicago Firsts
Lisa Sammons|June 13, 2023
What are some more things invented in Chicago?
There have actually been quite a few amazing things invented in Chicago! Here are a few more of the most notable things from Chicago:
Thanks largely to the devastation wrought by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Palmer House was the nation's first fireproof hotel when it was rebuilt in 1875.
The Pledge of Allegiance was written a few years prior, but it's thought that it was first recited by schoolchildren in Chicago in 1892.
