Today marks the 200th anniversary of the beloved city that is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This amazing city is home to adoring sports fans, a unique accent, a very special sandwich served with coleslaw and fries in between its bread, and our headquarters for InventHelp. The “Steel City” was known all over the world for producing steel and glass, but Pittsburgh is also the home of many different inventions that made a lasting impact on both the city and the world.
The Big Mac
The Big Mac is an American staple. Jim Delligatti came up with the idea for a new way to eat hamburgers in 1965. What he came up with was two beef patties on a sesame seed bun, sliced into thirds and we can’t forget the famous “special sauce.” Two years later, McDonald’s released the burger and sold it for 45 cents. Soon it became an instant classic and the rest is fast-food history.
The First Baseball Stadium
Another American classic, baseball, made a big impact on Pittsburgh when the first baseball stadium was built in Oakland just outside of downtown Pittsburgh in 1909. Forbes Field became the first home to the beloved Pittsburgh Pirates when Barney Dreyfus bought the team in 1900. Hosting events from the World Series to the University of Pittsburgh Panther football games, the stadium saw many high action Pittsburgh sporting events within its lifetime. The stadium was demolished in 1971, but remains an important memory for baseball fans everywhere.
The Retractable Dome
On July 4th, 1962, audience members were amazed when Carol Burnett announced “Ladies and Gentlemen…I present the sky!” Moments later the roof of the Civic Arena opened for the first time with the world’s first retractable dome. The Civic Arena, later known as Mellon Arena, was constructed in 1961 by Edgar J. Kauffman to host concerts, rallies and sporting events. Despite being designed for the purpose of a retractable-roof dome, the arena permanently closed its roof in 2001 after operating costs and repairs ended full retractions, and in 2012 the famous arena was demolished.
The First Commercial Radio Station
Frank Conrad was Assistant Chief Engineer at Westinghouse Electric when he built a transmitter and experimental radio Station that would eventually become Pittsburgh’s own KDKA Radio. The world saw its first commercially licensed radio station in 1920 when KDKA made its first broadcast. This first broadcast was an announcement of the election results of the Harding-Cox presidential race to around 1,000 listeners. KDKA eventually became an important source for news on both television and radio broadcasts.
Public Television
WQED went on air on April 1, 1954 for the very first time. This station, founded in Pittsburgh, was the very first community supported television station. Partnering with a multitude of local organizations, WQED works to improve education, art and even public health. After decades of broadcasting, this public television station remains an important source of both entertainment and education for the Pittsburgh area.
Pittsburgh has proved time and time again to be an important manufacturer of ideas and inventions not only for the nation, but for the globe. For decades, Pittsburgh natives have proudly displayed their innovations to the world. This has helped add to the Pittsburgh legacy that has always been held with such high-esteem. After 200 incredible years, this city has been the home to wonderful people, a fascinating culture, and genius inventions.
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