12 Surprising Firsts That Northern California Can Proudly Claim

When you think about life in Northern California, you might think of Mediterranean weather, healthy eating, gorgeous sandy beaches, or sky-high Redwood forests – and you’d be right. But we’re not just a bunch of pretty faces. We’re dang smart, too. There were numerous Northern California inventions, some of which are right here in San Francisco, that might even surprise you. We hate to brag about these inventions from NorCal, but guess what, we’re going to.

From groundbreaking tech to everyday items you probably use at home, these Northern California inventions have changed how we live.

1. Popsicles Were Invented Right Here in Northern California

Eleven-year-old Frank Epperson invented popsicles in 1905. He left fruit juice out overnight on a freezing night with a stirrer in it at home in San Francisco. Epperson later got a patent on his frozen treats, which were initially called Epsicle. He was quite the frozen-overachiever and went on to invent the twin popsicle, Fudgsicle, Creamsicle, and Dreamsicle. You can learn more about the origin of Popsicles on the official Popsicle website.

2. Apple Computer Was Born in a Northern California Garage

The late Steve Jobs founded tech giant Apple Inc. with Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in April 1976 in Cupertino. The company has grown to become one of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

3. The Iconic iPhone Was Created in Northern California

Since we're already discussing Apple, let's share a few facts about another Apple product – the iPhone. Released on June 29, 2007, this phone has over 101 million users in the U.S. alone and over 700 million users worldwide. And, it all began in Northern California!

4. Levi’s Blue Jeans: A Northern California Original That Changed Fashion

Levi Strauss and Company was founded in 1853 and began making blue jeans in San Francisco. Strauss designed the first pair of jeans by stitching canvas together to help withstand the wear and tear Gold Rush prospectors put their clothes through.

5. The Squeegee Was Invented in Northern California

If you use one of these on your car or house windows, or even in your shower, you have Ettore Steccone from Oakland to thank. The window cleaning aid was invented in 1936 by an Italian immigrant and professional window cleaner. His original family-owned factory, Ettore Products Co., remains in operation near Oakland International Airport.

6. The Steam Donkey Engine: A Northern California Logging Innovation

John Dolbeer (March 12, 1827 – August 17, 1902) was a partner in the Dolbeer & Carson Lumber Co., one of the early central Humboldt County, California lumber operations based in Eureka. While in that business, he invented the logging engine, more commonly known as the steam donkey or donkey engine. This invaluable equipment, especially about rugged terrain and giant trees, revolutionized 19th-century logging so significantly that variations of the engine were still used well into the 20th Century.

7. Wetsuits Were First Invented on the Coast of Northern California

Hugh Bradner, a physicist at the University of California, Berkeley, created the first wetsuit in 1952. His invention took some time to catch on, and others developed their own brands, but in the 1990s, research confirmed that Bradner was the inventor of the wetsuit. Whew...

8. The Wave: This Famous Stadium Cheer Started in Northern California

Oakland Coliseum in 1981 was the birthplace of the very first full-stadium wave. It was during a sold-out game between the Oakland A's and the New York Yankees. You know you're impressed.

9. Dreyer’s Ice Cream: A Northern California Classic Since 1928

The famous ice cream brand was founded in 1928 in Oakland by William Dreyer and Joseph Edy. Mr. Dreyer was the ice cream maker, and Mr. Edy was a candy maker, and it was a match made in heaven. Together, in 1929, they invented Rocky Road ice cream.

10. Fantasy Football Was First Dreamed Up in Northern California

An Oakland Tribune sports editor, 2 Oakland Raiders employees, and a sports reporter returned from a 3-week East Coast road trip with the Raiders in 1962. Following the trip, they started the weekly Greater Oakland Professional Pigskin Prognosticators League – leading the way for Fantasy Football – at King's X bar, which is now the Kona Club.

11. The First Videotape Recorder Was Invented in Northern California

Charles Ginsburg, a radio engineer with a background, is credited with inventing the first videotape recorder. Born in San Francisco in 1920, he received his bachelor's degree from San Jose State University. He worked as an engineer at AM radio station KQW (now KCBS). He then joined Ampex in 1951, where he led the group that invented the videotape recorder. This photo here is from an early 80s model and was used at a local TV station. We've come a long way, baby!

12. The Martini: A Classic Cocktail Born in Northern California

Perhaps one of the classiest Northern California inventions and one of the most famous drinks in the world. Legend has it that the Martini was initially called the Martinez, after the city of Martinez in the Bay Area. It was the popular drink in the early 1860s at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco before taking a ferry over to Martinez.

Admit it. You're impressed by these Northern California inventions. I'd like you to read more about these 10 Sanfrancisco inventions.

We could go on and on and on about all the things to come from this golden part of our state. However, we have a lot of classes. So, we're going to let you share all the things YOU know got their start here by completing this nomination form. Have you heard about interesting things invented in San Francisco?

Planning a Northern California road trip? Use our Only In Your State itinerary planner to map out your visit to the Bay Area, Eureka, and other fascinating destinations where these historic inventions were born.