Pittsburgh frequently finds itself in the headlines for its medical and technical innovation and sports wins. It’s not new, of course, as the Burgh has been grabbing headlines for decades. Here are 10 Pittsburgh firsts that changed lives and, in some cases, the course of history.

1. WQED in Pittsburgh debuted as the nation’s first "community-supported" TV station.
Flickr/WCN 24/7
Still a fixture in Pittsburgh television, WQED first went on the air on April 1, 1954. Since then, the station has gone on to win countless awards, including Emmy Awards and an Academy Award.
2. The first nighttime World Series game was held in Pittsburgh.
Flickr/David
The 1971 World Series pitted the Pirates against the Baltimore Orioles. Game four of the series on October 13, 1971, kicked off at 8:15 p.m., the first nighttime World Series game in baseball history. The Pirates would go on to win the series four games to three.
3. Jonas Salk invented the first polio vaccine in Pittsburgh.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
Dr. Jonas Salk made medical history – and saved countless lives – when he invented the polio vaccine in Pittsburgh in 1955.
4. The Ferris Wheel was invented in Pittsburgh.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
Today, the Ferris Wheel is the focal point of just about every summer fair, festival, and amusement park. We owe the Ferris Wheel to George Ferris who created the favorite ride in Pittsburgh in 1892 but debuted it a year later at the World’s Fair in Chicago.
5. Pittsburghers enjoyed the first motion picture theater in the United States.
Flickr/Fred Seibert
Going to the movie theater is a favorite pastime for many and it all began in the Burgh. Back in 1905, Pittsburghers started the trend of going to the movies when the Nickelodeon, the world’s first movie theater, opened.

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6. The first "drive-in" gas station opened in Pittsburgh.
Flickr/MPHDodgeDaytona
Pittsburghers were the first Americans to gas up their vehicles at a drive-in gas station, which opened on Baum Boulevard and St. Clair Street on December 1, 1913.
7. Pittsburghers ate the first McDonald’s first Big Macs, invented by a fellow Pittsburgher.
Flickr/Elliot
Three cheers to Jim Delligatti, a Pittsburgher and a McDonald’s franchisee who wanted to entice customers with a new, epic burger. Thus, the Big Mac was born and is now one of the world’s favorite burgers.
8. KDKA went on the air, becoming the United States’ first commercial radio station.
Wikipedia/Public Domain
Pittsburghers tuned in to KDKA for election results. Over 100 years ago on Election Day, November 2, 1920, was the first day KDKA went on the air.
9. Opening pop and beer cans became easier thanks to Alcoa in Pittsburgh.
nicoleleec/Flickr
Alcoa invented those easy-to-use pull tabs on pop and other aluminum cans. And, another hometown company, Iron City Brewery (which became one of the best breweries in Pittsburgh), was the first to switch over to the pull tabs on their products.
10. The Pittsburgh Steelers earned acclaim as the first team to win six Super Bowls.
Flickr/.sanden.
Okay, most Pittsburghers already know that the Pittsburgh Steelers were the first team to win six Super Bowls but it’s still worth a mention. The Steelers wrapped up their sixth Super Bowl win, edging out the Arizona Cardinals 27-23, on February 1, 2009.

As you can see, the things Pittsburgh did first are quite numerous. Which ones were your favorites? What other Pittsburgh firsts would you add to the list? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments section below!

Alas, there are some things Pittsburghers grew up with that we can no longer do. (Spoiler alert: We miss you Kaufmann’s!)

If you’re interested in making a weekend trip to Pittsburgh, there is no better place to spend the night than the Courtyard Pittsburgh Downtown.

If you’re still in the mood for more Pennsylvania adventures, take a look at this video about the Philadelphia Magic Garden:

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More to Explore

More Adventures in Pennsylvania

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 25, 2023

Where can we find historic sites in Pittsburgh?

  • The Forbes Field Outfield Wall is all that remains of the site where Bill Mazeroski hit a home run in the famous World Series in 1960.
  • Chatham Village is a historic community dating back to 1936. It is designed to illustrate that regardless of poor economic background, people are still valued enough to be able to live in a beautiful and affordable place.
  • The Fort Pitt Blockhouse is Pittsburgh's oldest structure and dates back to 1764.

Read on to learn about some of the other interesting historic sites in Pittsburgh.

What are some other inventions credited to Pennsylvania?

  • The First National African-American Opera House debuted in Pittsburgh.
  • The first smiley face emoticon was created at Carnegie Mellon University in the 1980s by computer scientist Scott Fahlman.
  • The world's first movie theater was opened on Smithfield St. in Pittsburgh in 1905.

Read on to learn about some of the other fascinating inventions credited to Pennsylvania.

Where can we find haunted hotels in Pennsylvania?

  • The Aaron Burr House in New Hope is said to be haunted by this long-gone actor.
  • The Historic Hotel Bethlehem in Bethlehem is where guests have said they have felt strange taps on their shoulders, cold spots, and have heard their names being called.
  • The Cashtown Inn in Orrtanna was part of the set of the movie “Gettysburg” and has been featured on the TV show Ghost Hunters.

Read on to learn about some of the many other haunted hotels in Pennsylvania.

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