Cornhusker Pride: You Never Knew These Amazing Things Came From Nebraska!
Who knew Nebraska was such an innovation powerhouse? Check out these amazing things that all started in the Cornhusker State! 🌽 #NebraskaProud #MidwesternIngenuity #InventedInNebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska – The Cornhusker State may be known for its vast cornfields and friendly people, but did you know it’s also the birthplace of some pretty incredible inventions? From tasty treats to life-saving devices, Nebraska has given the world more than its fair share of innovations. Get ready to be amazed by these things that all started right here in Nebraska!
1. The Dinner That Changed Mealtime Forever 🍽️
In the 1950s, families across America were looking for a quick and easy way to get dinner on the table. That’s when Swanson, a company based in Omaha, came up with the idea of frozen TV dinners. These single-portion meals were a game-changer, allowing busy families to enjoy a complete meal without all the fuss. Some say the term “TV dinner” came from people eating them in front of the television, while others believe it referred to the tray’s shape, which resembled a 1950s TV set. Either way, Swanson’s clever marketing helped make TV dinners a household name.
2. Capturing Life’s Quickest Moments 📸
Harold Eugene Edgerton, a native of Fremont, Nebraska, made a significant contribution to the world of photography. While studying at MIT in the 1920s, Edgerton became interested in using stroboscopes (better known as strobe lights) to photograph high-speed subjects. His techniques allowed photographers to capture split-second details that were previously impossible to see, like a balloon popping or a bullet in flight. Though he developed his ideas while at MIT, it’s safe to say that Edgerton’s Nebraska roots played a role in his innovative thinking.
3. The Lift That Changed Skiing Forever ⛷️
Next time you take a ride on a ski lift, remember to thank James Curran, a Union Pacific engineer from Nebraska. In 1936, Curran designed the first ski chairlift based on the banana conveyor systems used to load cargo ships in the tropics. The first chairlifts were installed at a Union Pacific-owned ski resort in Sun Valley, Idaho, revolutionizing the way people enjoyed the slopes.
4. The Biscuit That Could Survive a Bomb ☢️
In the midst of the Cold War, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture developed a unique food product designed to help people survive in the event of a nuclear attack. Called Nebraskit, these wheat-based biscuits were meant to be stored in bomb shelters and could provide adequate nutrition for up to two weeks. While they might not have been the most delicious thing ever created, Nebraskits were a testament to the state’s preparedness and ingenuity.
5. The Sandwich That Divides the Nation 🍔
Love it or hate it, the McDonald’s McRib has a surprising link to Nebraska. In the 1970s, a professor at the University of Nebraska named Roger Mandigo was asked by the National Pork Producers Council to create a product using pork trimmings that could be sold to McDonald’s. Mandigo came up with a process similar to making sausage, which became the basis for the McRib patty. McDonald’s added its own special sauce and the rest, as they say, is history.
6. The Study Guides That Saved Students’ Grades 📚
If you’ve ever used CliffsNotes to help you understand a book or prep for a test, you might not realize that these handy study guides have a connection to Nebraska. In 1958, Cliff Hillegass was working at Nebraska Book Co. in Lincoln when he met a Canadian publisher who sold study guides. Hillegass bought the American rights and started producing the guides under the name CliffsNotes. From there, the company expanded to cover a wide range of subjects, becoming a go-to resource for students everywhere.
7. Keeping Race Car Drivers Safe at High Speeds 🏎️
7. When you think of Nebraska, race cars might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But believe it or not, a team of engineers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Midwest Roadside Safety Facility developed a groundbreaking safety feature for racetracks. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Dean Sicking and his team created the Steel and Foam Energy Reduction (SAFER) Barrier, a wall designed to absorb impact and reduce the risk of injury to drivers in the event of a crash. Today, the SAFER Barrier is used on IndyCar and NASCAR tracks across the country, making racing safer for everyone involved.
8. The Scooter That Dropped From the Sky 🛵
During World War II, Cushman Motor Works in Lincoln came up with an unusual invention: the Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter. These scooters were designed to be dropped by parachute alongside soldiers, providing them with a quick and easy way to get around on the ground. It’s just one example of how Nebraskans have used their ingenuity to support our troops.
9. The Ice Cream Bar That Became an Icon 🍦
Eskimo Pies, those irresistible chocolate-covered ice cream bars, might not have become a reality without the help of a Nebraska chocolatier. Christian Kent Nelson, a candy store owner from Onawa, Iowa, came up with the idea for the treats in 1920. He partnered with Russell Stover, who mass-produced the bars under the Eskimo Pie name before moving on to create his famous boxed chocolates.
10. The Booth That Protects Your Vote 🗳️
The next time you step into a voting booth and pull the curtain closed, take a moment to thank Elizabeth Robb Douglas, a Nebraska native who dreamed up the idea of a collapsible voting booth in 1905. Her invention, which was produced by the Douglas Manufacturing Company in Crete, helped ensure that every voter could cast their ballot in privacy.
11. A Sweet Treat That’s Hard to Beat 🍦
If you’re a fan of butter brickle ice cream, you have the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha to thank for that, too. This delightful flavor, featuring bits of crunchy toffee, was first served at the hotel, and it’s been a favorite ever since.
12. Celebrating Trees, One Sapling at a Time 🌳
Arbor Day, the holiday that encourages people to plant and care for trees, has its roots in Nebraska. It was founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, and on the first Arbor Day, Nebraskans planted an estimated one million trees. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated around the world, reminding us all to appreciate the beauty and importance of trees.
13. Locking Pliers That Grip Like a Vise 🔧
In the early 1920s, a clever blacksmith from DeWitt named William Petersen had a bright idea. He invented a pair of locking pliers that could grip like a vise, making it easier to hold onto just about anything. He called them Vise-Grip pliers and even got a patent for his creation in 1924. At first, Petersen sold the pliers out of his car trunk, but by 1938, he had formed a company and was manufacturing them in DeWitt. Today, Vise-Grips are a staple in toolboxes everywhere, and it all started with one Nebraskan’s ingenuity.
14. The Sandwich That’s a Nebraska Original 🥙
If you’ve ever had a Runza, you know that this meat-filled pastry is a beloved Nebraska tradition. While the original idea for the sandwich came from German immigrants, it was a brother-and-sister duo, Sarah Everett and Alex Brening, who turned it into a fast-food sensation. They opened the first Runza Drive-In in Lincoln in 1949, and the rest is delicious history.
15. The Drink That Turned Ordinary Water Extraordinary 🥤
Kool-Aid, the brightly colored drink mix that’s been a staple at summer parties for decades, was invented by Edwin Perkins in Hastings, Nebraska, in the 1920s. Perkins was inspired by a liquid concentrate called Fruit Smack, but he wanted to create a version that was easier to ship. After some experimentation, he came up with a powdered formula that would become the Kool-Aid we know and love today.
16. Chocolates That Melt in Your Mouth 🍫
Bakers Candies, known for their melt-in-your-mouth chocolates, have been a Nebraska favorite for generations. Founded in Greenwood, these delectable treats are now enjoyed by candy lovers around the world.
17. The Sandwich That Started a Culinary Craze 🥪
Picture this: it’s 1925, and you’re sitting in a restaurant at the Blackstone Hotel in Omaha. Suddenly, a new sandwich appears on the menu – the Reuben. Little did anyone know that this delectable combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread would become a nationwide sensation. While some may contest its origins, many believe that the Reuben was invented right here in Nebraska by a man named Reuben Kulakofsky. Talk about a tasty legacy!
18. The Dressing That Became a Local Legend 🥗
If you’ve ever had a salad in Nebraska, chances are you’ve tried Dorothy Lynch dressing. This sweet and tangy dressing, similar to a thick French dressing, was created by Dorothy Lynch, the manager of the Legion Club restaurant in St. Paul, in the late 1940s. The dressing was so popular that Lynch sold the recipe to Tasty-Toppings, and today, every bottle of Dorothy Lynch is produced in Duncan, Nebraska.
Conclusion
So there you have it – amazing things that all started right here in Nebraska. From tasty treats to life-saving inventions, the Cornhusker State has made its mark on the world in more ways than one. The next time someone asks you what Nebraska is known for, you’ll have plenty of fascinating facts to share!
🗣 Which of these amazing things from Nebraska surprised you the most? Did we miss any? We’d LOVE to hear from you in the comments section below. ⬇️
