Some People Don’t Know That New Jersey Was the First To Do These 8 Things

New Jersey has always been an innovative hub, 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 both technology and tanning. Ultimately, there’s no better place for a little seaside relaxation or tossing around the pigskin. 

As you may have learned from our article on reasons why New Jerseyans are proud of their state, our state was the first to host a college football game. But this isn’t the Garden State’s only claim to fame. There are many other New Jersey firsts that we’re happy to boast about.

1. On Jan. 9, 1793, the First Balloon Flight in America Was Made by Jean-Pierre Blanchard

French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard set off in his hydrogen-filled balloon from Philadelphia, where the first U.S. president wished him a good flight. The trip lasted around 45 minutes, with Blanchard traveling 15 miles. He brought down his balloon in Deptford, New Jersey, carrying a letter from George Washington and landing a premier 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, Resulting in One of the Most Iconic of All New Jersey Inventions

A company that first began canning fruits and preserves before soups, the operation that would one day become Campbell Soup Company was founded in 1869 by Abraham Anderson and Joseph Campbell in Camden, New Jersey. Their iconic condensed soup wasn’t made until 1897 when John T. Dorrance discovered removing the water from soup could decrease its size and shipping cost, leading to a more affordable canned product. The company is still headquartered there.

3. The First Professional Basketball Game Was Played in Trenton in 1896

During this event, 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. Held at the Trenton Masonic Temple, entry cost 15 cents for standing-room tickets and 25 cents for seats, while the players were each paid $15.

4. The First Saltwater Taffy Was Produced Here 

In the late 19th century, boardwalk shop owner John Ross Edmiston employed David Bradley to sell taffy out of his postcard shop. As the story is often told, a large swell flooded the shop with ocean water, soaking the candy with salt; after Bradley sold some to a girl the next day, the name salt water taffy was born. Later, an entrepreneur named Joseph Fralinger took the idea and began packaging the taffy to be taken home as a signature Atlantic City souvenir. It remains one of the sweetest things New Jersey did first.

5. The Nation’s First Brewery Was Opened Here in 1641

It's very fitting that the brewery was in Hoboken, New Jersey's hip bar capital. A colonial operation, Van Putten’s brewery was founded in 1641, more than a century before the United States would declare its independence. A Dutch settler, Van Putten made use of New Jersey's abundant supply of barley, crafting beer for the local Dutch population, who didn’t trust the drinking water.

6. The First Solid Body Electric Guitar Was Made Here 

The first solid body guitar was invented by Mahwah resident Les Paul (born Lester William Polsfuss) in 1941. Paul constructed his prototype known as “The Log” from a four-by-four piece of lumber with a bridge, neck, hand-wound pickup, and strings, inserting the invention into a hollow-bodied Epiphone guitar. A crude design at first, the guitar didn't debut until many years later at a special concert in 1952.

7. The First Light Bulb Was Made by Thomas A. Edison in Menlo Park in 1879

Not only is this state home to the lightbulb, the first town to be lighted by Edison’s incandescent invention was Roselle, New Jersey. The community was lit by a single generating station situated at Locust Street and West First Avenue. On Jan. 19, 1883, this generator sent electricity to 150 streetlights and 40 homes, along with a store and a railroad station, illuminating the small village in a historic glow.

8. The First Navy Submarine Was Built by John Holland of Passaic County

Though it was not as advanced as the sub seen above, it did the job. Commissioned in 1900 and constructed at the Crescent Shipyard in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the first submarine used by the U.S. Navy was christened the USS Holland. The original submarine was displayed for many years at a museum in Paterson. Today, it still 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? Want to know more about the great state of New Jersey? Take a look at these fun facts about New Jersey. For more information about the Garden State, be sure to check out the official site of the State of New Jersey, as well as the State of New Jersey Facebook page.

Thinking about taking a vacay soon? Whether you're headed to the Garden State or the Golden State, be sure to outfit yourself with Only In Your State’s itinerary planner so we can help you plan the perfect trip!