Happy birthday, Colorado!
At the ripe young age of 144 years old, the “Centennial State” celebrated its birthday on August 1st.
(And for those of you great with math and history – yes, it’s called the Centennial State because it joined the union in 1876 – America’s 100th birthday!)
To celebrate this special occasion, we’re highlighting 8 of the most famous (and/or awesome) innovations to come from the state. You may be surprised by a few – especially the last one. Let’s check ’em out!
1. The Teddy Bear
Yes! According to legend, the Teddy Bear was first invented in Colorado. As the story goes, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt was on a hunting trip in Glenwood Springs. He stayed at the Hotel Colorado, where maids put together a bear figurine from scrap materials. Teddy loved the concept… and soon they were everywhere!
2. The Wheel Clamp (aka the “Denver Boot”)
Well… it does take its name from the place. The Denver Boot may not be our favorite innovation on the list, but it’s certainly one of the most common. It was invented in 1944, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that the police began using it.
3. Outdoor Christmas Lights
As legend has it, the very first outdoor Christmas lights were erected by merchants along Denver’s famous 16th Street Mall in the late 1900s. Festive!
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
4. Tampons
The world’s first tampon pack, Tampax (a blend of “tampon” and “pack”) was invented in Denver by Dr. Earle Haas, an osteopathic physician. There are actually plenty more details about this invention, but we’re going to leave it at this…
5. The OtterBox
OtterBox was one of the first phone case brands, and their water-resistant, shock-resistant, and drop-resistant cases remain a standout today. It was founded in Fort Collins in 1998.
6. Crocs
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Crocs are undoubtedly a unique innovation – and they’re 100% Coloradoan. These come from Boulder, and their headquarters is still located in nearby Niwot today.
7. The Root Beer Float
This classic dessert was originally invented by Frank J. Wisner in 1893. He originally called it a “Black Cow”… but for some reason, “Root Beer Float” ended up sticking.
8. The Cheeseburger (Maybe)
Although many other claims exist (and many date back to the early 1920s and 1930s), Colorado has actual proof that they invented the cheeseburger! The first trademark for the name “cheeseburger” was registered by Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado.
Alright, that does it for today! How about you – can you name the top 5 inventions from your state? Leave a comment below if so! (Oh, and if you’re from Colorado: Happy Birthday!)