Some People Don’t Know That Tennessee Was The First To Do These 10 Things
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Tennessee may be known for hot chicken and country music, the best people you ever did meet, and the Smoky Mountains, but we bet you don’t have these facts in your statehood arsenal. Even the staunchest Tennesseans find themselves scratching their heads, in awe of all the neat things that were spearheaded by the Volunteer State. Here are 10 things that Tennessee did first, from inventions to a new way of life, take a peek. How many do YOU know?
Memphis, 1886. Precisely where George K. Anderson coined the term, "typewriter" and patented the ink ribbon. Years of clicking and clacking and streamlined business-ing followed. This invention not only forever changed the way we do business but the way we do life.
No one knows where Coke was first bottled. It's an insanely debated mystery. Chattanooga, technically, was the first 'franchised' bottling of coke, after purchasing the rights for $1. We shall take it. Score one for Tennessee! The polar bear wasn't from here though that belongs up north, way up north.
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Nashville gave us cotton candy in 1897 and we shall forever be grateful. First known as 'Fairy Floss,' this sugary treat has become a carnival staple. The best part of the story? The man who invented cotton candy was a dentist. There is one place that has really upped the game when it comes to everyone's favorite puffy and fluffy treat. Make sure you pay a visit to Puffy Cotton Candy in Franklin.
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Ah, yes. Tennessee gave the world Davy Crockett, one of the first American heroes who led a legendary life that haunts our history books today. He wasn't the only world-famous person born here, we've got some pretty notable people who grew up in Tennessee.
McKee Foods was founded in 1934 in lovely Chattanooga. All those sugary, perfect treats that melted in your lunchboxes (and in your mouth)? They were born from the genius brain of a Tennessee businessman. Not only do they taste delicious but Little Debbie Snacks are just one of the 12 foods that Tennesseeans just love.
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Tom Thumb Golf, founded in 1927 in Chattanooga, was a tourist ploy that led to first date spots across the country. Well, it worked and we love mini golf! There is an amazing mini golf course you should try if you haven't already — Toy Box Mini Golf in Pigeon Forge. This classic toy-themed mini golf course is unlike anything you have seen before.
The early 1900s were good years for Tennessee - Chattanooga blessed the world with the Moon Pie, which was created for local coal miners with a sweet tooth. You can even check out The Annual RC Cola and Moon Pie Festival in Bell Buckle in early summer if you're looking to satisfy a sweet tooth of your own. Which by the way, RC Cola is another one of those Tennessee originals.
We bet you thought we were going to wax on about Nashville, huh? But Bristol is actually the home of country music. All the twang and sad, story songs can trace their roots here. This Eastern Tennesseean town is interesting for sure because Bristol is split right down the middle. One half Tennessee and the other half Virginia, so I guess you can say we both house the birthplace of country music.
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Do you love Twix and Milky Way and Snickers? Well, Nashville in 1912 is precisely where you can trace the combination bar right back. Who knows what you would snack on at the theater, if not for Music City! Visit the original location The GooGoo Shop in Nashville and make sure you check out the story of how it all got started.
The Piggly-Wiggly was founded in good ol' Memphis in 1916, the first grocery store where you could peruse the aisles at your leisure. Since then we have done much of our grocery shopping the same way, except now we can even order it online and have it delivered to our door.
Who knew that there were so many things Tennessee did first? How many did YOU know? Let us know in the comments below!
Check out these other innovations that came specifically out of Nashville.
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More to Explore
Inventions From Tennessee
What are some inventions from Tennessee?
Here are a couple of inventions from Tennessee:
- Bush's Baked Beans
- Mountain Dew
- Towing Truck
These three inventions and other surprises await you in our article about 13 things that were invented in Tennessee.