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The U.S. is a nation of pioneers, with each state eager to boast about being the first to achieve something significant. Aviation is a prime example. North Carolina proudly declares itself “first in flight,” as it’s where the Wright brothers launched their historic plane in the early 20th century. Meanwhile, Ohio also stakes the same claim, since the Wright brothers resided there full-time and developed their groundbreaking ideas in their bicycle shop. This pattern repeats across the country, with every state claiming its own unique “firsts.”
But what about the odd and unusual firsts? Not every state achievement is something to brag about or flaunt. Some are downright strange and unexpected! This list highlights ten state “firsts” that are likely unknown to most. These quirky, humorous, and unique claims might not make it into tourism campaigns, but they’re certainly unforgettable.
10. Alabama: The First 911 Call
Back in 1968, the inaugural 911 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama. Before this, Americans dialed “0” to reach an operator, who would then connect them to emergency services like the police or fire department. This marked a major shift in how emergencies were handled nationwide.
By 1968, authorities recognized the need for a dedicated emergency dispatch system and a unique number to simplify the process. Trained dispatchers could handle calls, coordinate fire, police, and EMS responses, and significantly speed up emergency assistance. Haleyville’s city officials aimed to be the first in the nation to adopt this innovative system. On February 16, 1968, they achieved that goal.
That morning, the Alabama Speaker of the House used a red telephone to place the inaugural 911 call. On the other end was Congressman Tom Bevill, who awaited the call from his colleague. The two exchanged greetings, confirming the line was operational and dispatchers could hear callers clearly.
Just weeks prior, Congress had designated 911 as the national emergency number, making Haleyville’s rapid implementation impressive. Other cities soon followed suit. Today, dialing 911 is second nature to Americans, ingrained from a young age. The system has undoubtedly proven its effectiveness.
9. Florida: The First Sunscreen
In 1944, Miami, Florida, was a hotspot for adventurous tourists and sun-seeking locals. As World War II neared its end, Americans looked forward to peacetime and outdoor activities. Enter Benjamin Green, whose innovation would change sun protection forever.
Green, like many young men of his time, served as an airman during the war. However, his background as a pharmacist gave him a deep understanding of the human body. An avid surfer and outdoor enthusiast, he grew tired of dealing with painful sunburns.
These factors drove Green to experiment with various lotions until he developed a groundbreaking product. In 1944, he perfected and launched a lotion that enhanced tans while protecting skin from harsh sunburns. This invention marked the birth of suntan lotion, introducing the concept of sunscreen to the world.
Miami locals quickly embraced Green’s creation, appreciating how it gave them a bronzed glow without the painful burns. His business skyrocketed, and today, his 1944 innovation is known worldwide as Coppertone. It all began in Miami!
8. Iowa: The First Computer
While Silicon Valley is now synonymous with tech innovation, the first major breakthrough happened in Ames, Iowa. In 1937, John Vincent Atanasoff, a physics professor at Iowa State University, began developing what would become the world’s first electronic computer.
Teaming up with Clifford Berry, a physics graduate student, Atanasoff spent five years refining the bulky machine. By 1942, it was ready to debut as the world’s first electronic computer. Named the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC Computer), it revolutionized technology by being the first device capable of electronic computation, reading, and writing.
While the ABC Computer wouldn’t resemble modern devices, it was groundbreaking for its time. The size of a desk and weighing over 750 pounds (340 kg), it featured rotating memory drums, a read/write system, vacuum tubes, separate memory and computing functions, electronic switches, arithmetic circuits, and a binary system. Though technology quickly advanced, the ABC Computer’s legacy began at Iowa State University.
7. New York: The First Brewery
New York holds the distinction of hosting the first public brewery, established far earlier than many might guess—back in 1632. At the time, the Dutch controlled the region, then known as New Amsterdam, long before the U.S. became an independent nation.
Initially, beer was brewed at home during the early years of Dutch rule. However, in 1632, a group of entrepreneurs began brewing and selling beer publicly, marking the birth of the U.S. alcohol industry. This move laid the foundation for what would become a massive and lucrative business.
The first commercial brewery was constructed in early 1632 on lower Manhattan’s aptly named Brewery Street (now Stone Street). With grain, malt, and hops readily available in New Amsterdam, brewers had easy access to essential ingredients. Within a few years, beer production became the colony’s largest and most thriving industry.
Dutch brewers quickly multiplied across the city, competing to sell their brews to locals and keep them well-supplied. While it wasn’t the craft beer rivalry seen in recent decades, it was a fierce competition that shaped the early alcohol trade. Cheers!
6. South Carolina: The First Opera
On February 8, 1735, the opera Flora debuted in a temporary theater in Charleston, South Carolina. Already a hit in England, producers hoped it would gain similar popularity in America. Their hopes were realized.
Flora quickly became a sensation as a “ballad opera,” sparking a demand for more works in the genre. This made South Carolina the first place in America to host an opera—long before it even became a state. This milestone occurred prior to the American Revolution and the nation’s fight for independence.
While opera might seem like a minor detail, it played a significant role in shaping American theater. The success of “ballad opera” in Charleston inspired future producers and playwrights to adapt their storytelling to captivate American audiences. This shift emphasized the importance of songs in driving the narrative of operas, making them more engaging and cohesive.
This evolution led to the rise of American musicals as a beloved and enduring genre. Today, musicals remain immensely popular, from Broadway hits to the global phenomenon of Hamilton. South Carolina’s groundbreaking performance of Flora laid the foundation for this vibrant tradition.
5. Maryland: The First Dental School
Maryland is credited with establishing the first dental school in the U.S. nearly 200 years ago, which was also the world’s first at the time. During the colonial era, dentistry was an inconsistent and often unreliable practice.
Some doctors dabbled in dentistry with moderate success, while others caused more harm than good due to a lack of expertise. The field was entirely unregulated, leading to widespread suffering for those seeking relief from dental issues like toothaches and jaw pain.
The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, established in 1840, became the first regulated dental school in the U.S. and a global pioneer in dental medicine. Graduates of this institution were far more skilled and effective than the untrained, self-taught dentists who had previously dominated the field.
As the school produced increasingly competent graduates, the nation’s dental health gradually improved. Over time, the college merged into Maryland’s public university system and is now known as the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
4. Maine: The First City
York, Maine, holds the title of the first officially chartered city in the New World, designated by the English in 1641. The area was initially settled in 1624 by Captain John Smith, who explored it as early as 1614 but waited a decade to establish a town. Recognizing York’s potential, he began building the settlement.
Originally named Agamenticus, the city was later chartered in 1641 by Sir Ferdinando Gorges, who renamed it Gorgeana. This act officially marked the birth of America’s first city, putting it on the map for future generations.
Eleven years after Gorges chartered the city, the Massachusetts Bay Company acquired his property. They revoked the Gorgeana charter and issued a new one, renaming the city York, a name that remains to this day.
The name York, inspired by Yorkshire, England, endured. The city grew slowly until 1692, when it was nearly destroyed in an Abenaki Indian raid. Despite this, York survived and today attracts history enthusiasts with its colonial charm. It now has a modest population of fewer than 15,000 residents.
3. Arizona: The First Drive-Thru
While the concept of a fast-food drive-thru was considered nationwide, Arizona was the first to implement it. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, McDonald’s sought ways to cater to car-centric customers. Franchisees in Los Angeles and San Diego proposed drive-thru windows to serve customers without requiring them to leave their vehicles.
Corporate executives embraced the idea and began experimenting with it. An Oklahoma City franchisee expressed interest in launching the first drive-thru, as their location was ideal for a drive-up service. However, renovations delayed the project, putting the drive-thru plans on hold.
Eager to implement the drive-thru concept quickly, McDonald’s turned to a location in Sierra Vista, Arizona, near Fort Huachuca Army Base. Sales at this restaurant had dropped due to a new Army regulation requiring soldiers to remain in their vehicles while off-base if wearing fatigues or uniforms.
This rule prevented soldiers from exiting their cars to order food, prompting McDonald’s to install a drive-thru window. The idea took off, and soon drive-thrus became a standard feature across the U.S. Today, it’s unusual to find a McDonald’s without one!
2. Minnesota: The First Mall
Minnesota is home to the iconic Mall of America, a sprawling complex larger than many small towns, complete with countless shops, restaurants, and attractions. It’s fitting that Minnesota pioneered mall culture in the post-World War II era, as the concept of large-scale shopping centers gained popularity.
After soldiers returned home in 1945, they began building families, careers, and homes, fueling economic growth. This inspired business leaders to create expansive shopping destinations where consumers could find nearly everything they needed under one roof.
On October 8, 1956, the concept of a modern shopping mall came to life with the opening of Southdale Center in Edina, Minnesota. As the world’s first fully enclosed, climate-controlled shopping center, Southdale introduced the mall experience we know today, offering a year-round shopping destination under one roof.
Given Minnesota’s harsh winters, the climate-controlled design allowed shoppers to visit comfortably regardless of the weather. The mall’s success was immediate, drawing large crowds and inspiring the construction of similar centers across the U.S.
1. Michigan: The First Paved Road
As Henry Ford’s Model T cars gained popularity in early 20th-century Michigan, local officials recognized the need for improved infrastructure. In 1909, Detroit paved a mile of Woodward Avenue, marking the first paved road in the U.S. Though not a highway by today’s standards, it was hailed as “the world’s first concrete highway” at the time.
While brick-paved streets existed in Detroit and elsewhere, they were often uneven and difficult for early cars to navigate. Concrete pavement offered a smoother alternative, and Detroit led the way in adopting this innovative solution.
During the spring of 1909, construction teams worked tirelessly, and by April 20, the project was finished. A one-mile section of Woodward Avenue, spanning from Six Mile Road to Seven Mile Road, was paved for automobiles. The project’s total cost was approximately $1,400, with around $1,000 coming from state funds.
