Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a shining example of a genuine American city composed of hard-working, community-focused residents. From its humble steel mill beginnings, Pittsburgh has become home to renowned art museums, the origin of a famous burger, and more bridges than you can count. Test your knowledge of this city with these 15 facts.

1. Carnegie Mellon University opened the first robotics center in Pittsburgh

In 1979, Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University hosted the first robotic center to open at a U.S. university. The university also started the world’s first Robotics Ph.D. program in 1988. Products of both the Robotics Center and Ph.D. program have been used to explore the tops of volcanoes, aid doctors during surgeries, and create self-driving cars.

2. Pittsburgh is a city of bridges

Pittsburgh is called the “City of Bridges” for a good reason. At 446, Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other city in the world. The Monongahela Bridge, which occupies the site of what is now the Smithfield Street Bridge, was the first bridge ever constructed in Pittsburgh. You might recognize the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson suspension bridges, which carry traffic across the Allegheny River to Pittsburgh’s North Side. They are, in fact, the only trio of identical bridges in the world.

3. The Big Mac originated in Pittsburgh

Are you in the mood for two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and a sesame seed bun? You’re in good company. Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchise owner, invented the beloved Big Mac in Pittsburgh. He started selling his creation in his 47 McDonald’s restaurants in Pittsburgh until McDonald’s got on board with his idea. Delligatti also helped develop the hotcakes and sausage breakfast meal to feed hungry Pittsburgh steelworkers on their way home from overnight shifts.

4. The city embraces modern art

Opened in 1896, The Carnegie International was arguably the first modern art museum in the United States. The purchases from Andrew Carnegie’s first series of contemporary art exhibits helped pay for the acquisition of renowned paintings, some of the cornerstone pieces of what we now know as the Carnegie Museum of Art. To this day, visiting the museum is one of the coolest things to do in Pittsburgh.

5. Y’all? You all? You guys? No. It’s yinz.

True Pittsburghers don’t say you all, you guys, or even y’all. They say yinz. Back in the 1700s, when Scottish-Irish immigrants settled in Pittsburgh, they used a dialect of English that featured the expression “you ones.” Eventually, over the years, “you ones” became “you-uns,” and finally, “yinz.” It’s not uncommon to still hear this phrase in Pittsburgh today.

6. You can think Pittsburgh for Heinz Ketchup

That’s right, Pittsburgh is home to the Heinz version of your favorite salty-sweet condiment. After adapting a Chinese recipe called Cat Sup—made from tomatoes, seasoning, and starch—into his product, Henry Heinz started producing mass amounts of ketchup at the Heinz headquarters in Pittsburgh. Today, the company operates in more than 200 countries and continues to give us the perfect condiment to bring to any summer barbecue.

7. A Pittsburgh college campus contributed to the world’s first emoticon

The smiley face emoticon has roots in Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon computer science professor Scott Fahlman first created the smiley face emoticon in 1982, using it primarily in online bulletins. Faculty and staff caught on, and now, shy of 30 years later, the emoticon enjoys international use and recognition.

8. The Burgettstown amphitheater has been renamed over five times

The outdoor theater was first known as Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater in the 1990s. It then took the name Post-Gazette Pavilion, followed by First Niagara Pavilion, KeyBank Pavilion, and the S&T Bank Music Park. As of 2020, the amphitheater was known as The Pavilion at Star Lake. While the title of this stadium may differ depending on who you talk to, it’s an attractive place for Pittsburgh residents to enjoy top musicians and concerts.

9. The Pittsburgh Pirates are the third-oldest MLB team

Only two other teams have been in Major League Baseball longer than the Pittsburgh Pirates. Attending an old-fashioned Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game at PNC Park is a rite of passage for any new Pittsburgh resident. Here, you’ll get to take in one of America’s greatest sports while also getting to know the competitive nature of the city.

10. Pittsburgh has more than 700 sets of public stairs

One person in Pittsburgh is exclusively responsible for inspecting and maintaining public stairs, and they have a big job in this city. More than 700 sets of public stairs exist throughout Pittsburgh. The city estimates that 66 of its 88 neighborhoods have public steps. In 1999, an author counted the total number of steps in the city, which totaled 44,645 steps. In addition to Pittsburgh’s impressive public park system, these steps make the city a phenomenal place for free exercise.

11. Pittsburgh receives more rain than Seattle

Seattle, Washington, may be known as one of the rainiest cities in the United States. However, Pittsburgh technically gets more rainfall per year than Seattle does. The average rainfall in Pittsburgh is 38.3 inches per year, whereas Seattle only receives an average of 38 inches per year. Pittsburgh is perfect for you if you enjoy the occasional rainfall to cool off.

12. Lewis and Clark supposedly began their westward expedition from Pittsburgh

The official story goes that Lewis and Clark began their expedition journey in St. Louis, Missouri. Unofficially, though, they met up in Pittsburgh. Discussions have centered around changing the historic trail’s starting point to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

13. Pittsburgh has been at the center of the DC universe

Pittsburgh has appeared in several blockbuster films, including “The Dark Knight Rises”. The Gotham Rogues played against the Rapid City Monuments right here in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh has also appeared in other movies like “The Avengers” and “Jack Reacher.”

14. Pittsburgh has the tallest building in the world with a flat roof

The U.S. Steel Tower is hard to miss anywhere in Pittsburgh, and it’s known for being the tallest building in the world with a flat roof. The city completed the structure in 1970 at its impressive 64 stories.

15. Pittsburgh is home to a dinosaur

Did you know that Pittsburgh is home to a dinosaur? Dippy the Dinosaur is 22 feet tall and 84 feet long. He currently sits outside of the Carnegie Museum and has become an unofficial mascot for Pittsburgh. What might be even more surprising about Dippy the Dinosaur is that he’s made from real dinosaur bones.

If you think these facts sound cool, just wait until you see what else Pittsburgh has in store for you. With championship-winning football teams, Michelin star restaurants, and plenty of city-wide events throughout the year, there are many reason to think about moving to Pittsburgh. Find your perfect apartment and start practicing your “yinz”; Pittsburgh awaits!

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