Some People Don't Know These 10 Things Came From Southern California
By Catherine Armstrong|Updated on April 29, 2022(Originally published April 24, 2022)
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Southern California has all the coolest things. There are amazing beaches, glitzy movie stars, tons of fabulous outdoor activities, and … California inventions. Have you ever stopped to think, “What was invented in California?” Well, the answer is that there are all sorts of famous inventions from California! When you consider the things invented in California, our state has managed to change the world in some pretty incredible ways. Can you imagine what the world would be like without these 10 things invented in California?
The hula hoop has been around for thousands of years, dating back to Native American culture, but the modern version found in Southern California toy stores is the product of two inventors from California. Richard Knerr and Arthur "Spud" Melin created a plastic tubular version. Their company, WHAM-O, sold more than 25 million hula hoops between July and October of 1958.
Imagine pulling through the McDonald’s drive-thru in the morning and not being able to get an Egg McMuffin. Thanks to Herbert Peterson, a southern California McDonald’s franchise owner, you can enjoy this tasty, hand-held, fast-food breakfast. Herbert invented the breakfast sandwich and sold the first one in 1972.
If you spent any of your childhood playing with your Barbies, you have Ruth Handler to thank. She was living in Los Angeles when she invented the Barbie doll in 1959. Her husband, the owner of a little toy company called Mattel, helped her market the doll. The rest is history.
That can of WD-40 on the shelf in your garage is perfect for quieting rusty hinges and preventing rust. One of the handiest inventions from California, it was invented by Norm Larsen, founder of Rocket Chemical Company of San Diego. Norm was working on a formula for the aerospace industry when he perfected WD-40, which is perfect for everyday household use, too.
While Californians can’t take credit for inventing sushi, Ichiro Mashita, a chef in Los Angeles, gets the credit for making it popular in the United States. In the early 1970s, he created the California rolls by substituting avocado for tuna and constructing the roll inside-out. It was an immediate hit with southern Californians, and the trend quickly spread throughout the country. Are you craving some sushi now? Then you’ll definitely want to check out this massive seafood buffet.
Edible inventions from California don't end with the state's namesake sushi roll. The Cobb salad was also invented in Los Angeles, though it entered the scene decades before Californians were ready for sushi. Robert Howard Cobb, the owner of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant, was working late one night in the 1930s. He decided to take a quick break and grabbed a bunch of ingredients to just throw together for a quick snack. He combined salad fixings with some leftover bacon, then tossed the whole thing with French dressing. He added it to the menu shortly thereafter.
In case you can’t tell, southern Californians really love food, and Los Angeles sure seems to be the place to invent delicious, popular new food items. The French dip sandwich was created by a restaurant in Los Angeles — there’s no dispute about that. Cole’s Pacific Electric Buffet claims that the sandwich was offered on its menu as early as 1908. Philippe The Original claims that its owner, Philippe Mathieu, created it in 1918. We don’t really care which one is right — we’re too busy stuffing our faces with the hot, savory goodness of one of the tastiest inventions from California.
Shirley Temple became a Hollywood icon at a very young age — certainly much too young to imbibe. According to legend, a bartender at Chasen’s in Beverly Hills invented the drink to serve to Shirley in lieu of an adult cocktail. The drink consists of ginger ale and grenadine, garnished with a maraschino cherry.
Los Angeles is the birthplace of one of the sweetest things invented in California, the Orange Julius! The sweet treat was created in 1929. Julius Freed owned a small orange juice stand. Freed’s friend Bill Hamlin couldn’t drink much juice, because the acidic fruit bothered his stomach. Hamblin mixed the juice with some sugar, milk, vanilla, egg, and ice and created a delicious, frothy drink that customers immediately loved. Sales at the juice stand went from $20 a day to $100 a day — almost overnight.
A professor at the University of California - Los Angeles is to thank for surely decreasing the rates of lung cancer, thanks to his nicotine patch, which is easily one of the best things invented in California. Murray Jarvik and his colleague Jed Rose researched the effect of the absorption of nicotine into the skin. They eventually developed a transdermal patch that went on the market in 1992. The small dose of nicotine delivered by the patch helps people quit smoking.
Which of these southern California inventions is the best, in your opinion? Did you know about these things invented in California? Know of any other famous southern California inventions? We want to hear from you!
There is so much to love about the Golden State – even aside from these Southern California inventions. It’s true! And just in case you need convincing, here are 11 reasons everyone who hates Southern California can just shut up.
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Southern California Inventions
Daniella DiRienzo|April 29, 2022
Are there any other famous Southern California inventions?
Inventions from California do not end with the items above. A variety of products have come from Southern California including the laser. Now used in an array of applications, the laser was invented by Theodore Harold Maiman in 1960. Working in a laboratory in Malibu, Maiman used a ruby crystal to create the first working laser.
Are there any other products invented in California?
Southern California inventions run the gamut from electronics to iconic dishes. In fact, when it comes to things invented in California, iconic dishes take the cake. So many famous foods have roots in the Golden State. Even better, many restaurants have perfected the state’s iconic dishes. Want to know more? Here are the 10 dishes you have to eat in Southern California before you die.
