New Jersey has always been an innovator, with its residents making major advancements in everything from medicine to music. Home to Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park lab and the nation’s first beach resorts, we’ve paved the way for technology and…tanning. There’s nothing wrong with a little seaside relaxation, or tossing around the pigskin. As you learned from our interesting facts about New Jersey article, our state was the first to host a college football game. Here are ten other New Jersey firsts you can boast about.
1. On January 9, 1793, the first balloon flight in America was made by Jean-Pierre Blanchard.
He landed his balloon in Deptford, New Jersey, carrying a letter from George Washington and landed a spot on our list of things New Jersey did first.
2. The first condensed soup in America was cooked and canned by Campbell's in Camden County in 1897, resulting in one of the most iconic of all New Jersey inventions.
The company is still headquartered there.
3. The first professional basketball game was played in Trenton in 1896.
The Trenton YMCA defeated the Brooklyn YMCA 15-1. Admission was charged, and players were paid, making it the first professional game in the sport.
4. The first ferry service in the United States was based out of Hoboken.
The service began in 1811, traveling between Hoboken and Manhattan.
5. The first saltwater taffy was produced here.
The sweet stuff was first made and marketed in Atlantic City during the 1870s and remains one of the sweetest things New Jersey did first!
6. The first copper mine in America was opened here.
The mine was built by Dutch settlers in the Kittatinny Mountains circa 1640.
7. The nation's first brewery was opened here in 1642.
It's very fitting that the brewery was in Hoboken, New Jersey's hip bar capitol.
8. The first solid body electric guitar was made here.
It was invented by Mahwah resident Les Paul in 1940.
9. The first light bulb was made by Thomas A. Edison in Menlo Park in 1879.
The first town to be lighted by electricity was Roselle in 1883.
10. The first submarine was built in 1878 by John Holland of Passaic County.
Though it was not as advanced as the sub seen above, it did the job. The original submarine can still be seen in a Paterson museum, as it ranks pretty high up there in significance as far as New Jersey firsts go.
Were you surprised to learn about any of these New Jersey firsts? Which did you already know? Are you aware of any fascinating inventions from New Jersey? New Jersey has so many other firsts we’d love to share with you. If you like and share the post, there just might be a part two, highlighting all the things New Jersey did first!
For more information about the Garden State, be sure to check out the Official Site of the State of New Jersey website, as well as the State of New Jersey Facebook page.
Want to know more about the great state of New Jersey? Take a look at these fun facts about New Jersey.
Thinking about taking a vacay soon? Then consider booking your flight via the Dollar Flight Club.
If you’re still in the mood for more New Jersey adventures, take a look at this video:
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