You can’t know everything, unless you’re an omniscient being, but then there would be no point in reading this because you would already know what it said! Anyway, what was I saying? Oh yeah…. You can’t know everything, and every state has a veritable encyclopedia of facts and mysteries about them that are likely unknown to you. Here’s 10 things about Iowa you (probably) didn’t know.
1. Trampolines Are An Iowa Invention
That's right, everyone's favorite thing to break their arm on was invented in Iowa. George Nissen, a University of Iowa Gymnast, and his coach created the first trampoline in the 1930s, and they together founded the Griswold-Nissen Trampoline and Tumbling Company.
2. The Birth Of The Eskimo Pie
In the 1920s, schoolteacher and candy store owner Chris Nelson had a boy in his store who was torn between purchasing a chocolate bar or ice cream. It saddened Nelson's spirits that any child should have to make such a horrific compromise, and a year later the first eskimo pie was developed.
3. The Most Crooked Street In The World
Iowa is mostly flat, but that didn't stop the construction of the most ridiculous driving path man has ever seen. Snake Alley in Burlington, Iowa was made in 1894, and linked the business and shopping districts together.
4. Buddy Holly Dropping Out Of The Sky
February 3rd, 1959, AKA: The day that music died. Rock and Roll legend Buddy Holly shocked and saddened the world when his plane crashed near Clear Lake, Iowa, killing everyone on board. This monument is still there to honor the once great superstar.
5. The Start of Winnebago
Winnebago is famous for its recreational vehicles, and it all started in Winnebago County, Iowa in 1958.
6. That's A Lot Of Golf Courses....
Iowans sure do love their golf, and Iowa boasts the third best golf courses per capita than any other US state.
7. Home Of The World's Largest Truck Stop
In Walcott, Iowa, along interstate 80, there lies The Iowa 80. This truck stop is located on a 220-acre plot of land and serves 5,000 people a day. It is the largest truck stop in the world.
8. Helping Make The Atomic Bomb
Most people know the conflict in Japan in World War II was ended with the dropping of the first two militarized atom bombs. What most people don't know is that scientists at Iowa State University made significant contributions to the project.
9. A Little Blue Bunny...
Le Mars, Iowa, was once crowned the Ice Cream Capital of the World, and that's no surprise, since it's the birthplace of world famous Blue Bunny Sweets.
10. Iowa's Underground Crater
74 million years ago, a crater collided with the earth near what is now Mansfield, Iowa. The collision left a crater over 20 miles in diameter, and it is completely underground.
Which of these did you know, and what other Iowa trivia didn’t appear on this list? Comment below and share!
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