Few People Know That New Jersey Is The Birthplace Of Skee-Ball, The Original Arcade Game
Kristen
Author
While many New Jerseyans know that the great game of Skee-Ball got its start in the Garden State, ask someone from Florida or Indiana and they’ll likely have no idea. The iconic arcade game is played around the country, and around the world, but few people know its story. So let’s take a closer look at this nostalgic past time and what might just be one of the most iconic things invented in New Jersey.
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While arcades existed for several decades before Skee-Ball became popular, they revolutionized the industry. One of the first-ever redemption games (where one could win tickets or prizes), they added a competitive component and element of skill. Other popular games that soon followed include Fascination, Baffle Ball, and Pinball. Were you familiar with Skee-Ball’s history? What’s your favorite arcade game?
Skee-Ball is just one of the many things invented in New Jersey — here are some of the state’s most famous inventors and inventions!
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What are the best things about living in New Jersey?
The number of people relocating to New Jersey over the past several years speaks to the many advantages of living in our state. Between our borders, family-friendly towns nestled in lush landscapes offer a wealth of amenities with excellent schools ranking among the best in the U.S. and a wide variety of outdoor and cultural activities to keep everyone active. The Garden State earned its moniker with its wealth of stunning scenic spaces, an abundance of public recreational areas, and 50 state parks to explore. From the Atlantic Coastal Plains to the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, New Jersey is a small state packed with an impressive range of natural beauty.
What are the weirdest things about New Jersey?
In addition to there being some downright weird things invented in New Jersey (see above), The Garden State is also kind of a weird place! If you are native to New Jersey, you are likely loyal to a favorite neighborhood diner, honoring a tradition that spans over a century. With an estimated 525 diners serving up comforting, traditional American dishes across our state, it’s not surprising we’ve been deemed the “Diner Capital of the Country.” In the early 1900s, these beloved eateries existed as portable structures serving lunches to on-the-go workers out of convenient wood-framed railway cars. As their popularity grew, diners were mass-produced for export to all corners of the world making New Jersey the diner manufacturing capital of the nation.
What are the most unique things to do in New Jersey?
One-of-a-kind excursions, unique destinations, and unforgettable attractions are plentiful across New Jersey and interesting sites are waiting to be discovered in all corners of our state. Just outside of Atlantic City you can snap a photo in front of a six-story elephant lovingly named “Lucy.” Constructed in 1881, this unique architectural landmark houses a gift shop and offers amazing beach views from its covered balcony. Another bizarre photo op is in rural Shamong. Venturing just off US Highway 206 you’ll meet Mighty Joe the Gorilla, a colossal fiberglass primate that makes a perfect backdrop for a quick quirky pose. At Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, the mesmerizing Rainbow Tunnel takes visitors on a glow-in-the-dark journey through the subterranean zinc ore passages of the last working mine in New Jersey.