10 Changes And Inventions Mississippi Contributed To The History Of The World
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
What is Mississippi famous for? Lots of stuff! In fact, it’s safe to say the world just wouldn’t be the same without the Magnolia State. That’s especially true as far inventions from Mississippi go. When you truly consider all the things invented in Mississippi, it’s clear that the state has made some major worldwide contributions. Want some proof? Read on for 10 changes and inventions from Mississippi that helped shaped the world we know today.
142 Keller Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530, USA
Everybody knows that Barq’s has bite, but not everybody is aware that the popular soft drink got its start in Biloxi. Edward Charles Barq concocted the now-famous beverage in 1898, and today, it’s easily one of the most famous (and tastiest!) things invented in Mississippi.
1107 Washington St, Vicksburg, MS 39183
Coca Cola may have been invented in Atlanta, but it was bottled for the first time in, you guessed it, Mississippi! The inaugural bottling took place in 1894 at the Biedenharn Candy Company in Vicksburg. The building has since been turned into the Biedenharn Coca Cola Museum, where visitors can learn all about Mississippi’s part in the famous drink’s history.
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Sharkey County, MS, USA
Most everyone has heard about Theodore Roosevelt’s famous hunting expedition, which inspired the creation of one of the most iconic toys of all time, the Teddy Bear. However, what many don’t know is that history-making hunting trip took place in Sharkey County.
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Iuka, MS 38852, USA
A pioneer in the world of aviation, Henry Tyndall "Dick" Merrill piloted the first ever round-trip transatlantic flight in 1936. That wasn’t his only accomplishment, though. Among his many feats, he was Dwight D. Eisenhower's personal pilot during the 1952 presidential elections, set several speed records, and was the highest paid air mail pilot. What’s all this have to do with the Magnolia State? Merrill was born in Iuka.
Birthplace of Kermit The Frog Museum, 415 S Deer Creek Dr E, Leland, MS 38756, USA
Jim Henson, the legendary puppeteer and cartoonist, hails from Greenville, so it only makes sense that his beloved creation, Kermit the Frog is also a Mississippian. According to his bio, Kermit is from the small town of Leland, which honors its most famous resident with the
Birthplace of Kermit the Frog Museum.
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Dunns Falls, Mississippi 39330, USA
The famed hatter John B. Stetson was born in New Jersey and passed away in Florida. So, you’re probably wondering what he (or his iconic hats) has to do with Mississippi. Well, as it turns out, the "Father of the Cowboy Hat" learned and honed his craft near Dunn’s Falls, the tallest waterfall in Mississippi.
Vicksburg, MS, USA
The concept of selling shoes in pairs is a no-brainer…or is it? It wasn’t actually the norm until 1884, when the first boxed pair was sold at Phil Gilbert’s Shoe Parlor in Vicksburg.
It’s often assumed that National Geographic Magazine is printed in Washington D.C., but that’s not the case. It’s printed in Corinth. Another interesting fact: According to the publication’s website, it takes eight million pounds of paper and 649,000 pounds of ink to print nine million issues of the magazine each month!
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In 1964, Dr. James Hardy performed a medical first: he transplanted a chimpanzee heart into a human. The operation was controversial; however, it paved the way for another medical first: the world’s first human-to-human transplant in 1967. Performing the first animal-to-human transplant isn’t Dr. Hardy’s only contribution to the medical field, though. He's also credited with performing the world’s first lung transplant surgery.
4th Street South, 4th St S, Columbus, MS 39701, USA
The first national celebration of Memorial Day took place in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery. However, the holiday actually began two years earlier, in 1866, at Friendship Cemetery in Columbus.
Now that you’ve been filled in on the most amazing changes and inventions from Mississippi, you’re fully prepared should you ever get asked, “What is Mississippi famous for?”
The things invented in Mississippi aren’t the state’s only contribution to the world. Lots of famous faces and influential figures have roots in the Magnolia State. Like who? Here are just a few of the famous people from Mississippi.
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