I love a good origin story, but have you ever wondered what things invented in Tennessee do we use all the time? Tennessee may be known for hot chicken, country music, the Smoky Mountains, and the best people you ever did meet, but we bet you don’t have these facts in your statehood arsenal. Even the staunchest Tennesseans find themselves 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.
10. Invented the Typewriter Ribbon
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.
9. First Bottled Coke
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 things from Tennessee! The polar bear wasn’t from here, though; that belongs up north, way up north.
8. First Cotton Candy
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.
7. Birthplace of Davy Crockett, one of the FIRST American Heroes
Ah, yes. Tennessee gave the world Davy Crockett, one of the first American heroes, who lives on in 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.
6. First Little Debbie Snack Cakes
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 10 foods that Tennesseeans just love.
5. First Miniature Golf Course
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.
4. The First Moon Pie
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. RC Cola is another one of those Tennessee originals.
3. Birthplace of Country Music
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, and there’s even a museum devoted to the origin story. 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.
2. First Combination Candy Bar
Do you love Twix, Milky Way, or Snickers bars? Well, you can trace the mix of chocolate, nuts, caramel, and nougat to back to 1912 in Nashville, where the first combination bar opened. Who knows what you would snack on at the theater, if not for Music City! Visit the original location The GooGoo Shop and make sure you check out the story of how it all got started.
1. The First Self-Service Grocery
The Piggly-Wiggly, the first grocery store where you could peruse the aisles at your leisure, was founded in good ol’ Memphis in 1916. 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 invented in Tennessee? How many did YOU know? Let us know in the comments below.
And we can’t forget to give our want to beloved Music City a spotlight, too. Check out these things that were invented in Nashville, and remember to use our Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to add these iconic stops to your next trip…