Buzz
While researching for an article recently, I discovered numerous things I had no idea were German or had deep roots in German culture. It’s easy to see how America and Germany share many similar customs and innovations, especially with around 17% of Americans claiming German heritage. This detour from my research resulted in the creation of this list! A special thanks to Lindsey Leavitt for the inspiration.
15. Chicken Fried Steak
The origins of this mouthwatering dish are debated (there's even disagreement over who first served it or where in Texas it was created), but most sources trace it back to German and Austrian immigrants in Texas who introduced the recipe for Wiener Schnitzel. Americans, however, took it to the next level by deep-frying it and generously covering it with gravy. The name ‘Chicken Fried Steak’ is believed to have emerged during the war with Germany, replacing the original name, Wiener Schnitzel.
14. The Ring Binder
The widely used ring binder, something we all encounter at least once a week (or even daily for students), was actually invented in Germany – and fairly recently, too. Friedrich Soennecken created it in Bonn, Germany, in 1886. In that same year, he also patented the hole punch (he may have had his eye on Thomas Edison’s work). Another German, Louis Leitz, introduced the ingenious addition of a hole in the cover. Interestingly, there is an ISO standard that specifies the distance between rings on a two-ring binder, but no official standard exists for three-ring binders.
13. Nutcracker Story and Figure
The art of nutcracker carving originated as a modest cottage industry in the forested areas of rural Germany, known for their fine craftsmanship and detailed decoration. Before becoming linked to Tchaikovsky's famous ballet and viral short clips on America’s Funniest Home Videos, nutcrackers were celebrated as the central figure in a 19th-century story by Berlin’s E.T.A. Hoffman, which was eventually adapted into the well-known ballet.
12. Gingerbread Houses
The gingerbread house first appeared in the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. It was later depicted in a lesser-known German opera by the same name. After its debut just before Christmas, a tradition emerged in German opera houses to craft small-scale replicas of the gingerbread house from the tale. This tradition soon spread to bakeries and eventually found its way into family homes.
11. Advent Calendars
This Christmas custom has its roots in the German Lutheran tradition, dating back to the early 19th century. Initially, the calendar was a simple way to count down the days leading up to Christmas. Over time, it became popular to light 24 candles. In the early 20th century, Gerhard Lang was credited with creating the first Advent calendar. A few years later, he added small doors that would open to reveal the date or a scripture. It wasn't until after World War II that Advent calendars were filled with candies and other treats for each day leading up to Christmas.
10. Christmas Tree
The custom of decorating the Tannenbaum (yes, that's the German word) can be traced back to the 16th century. While it is recorded that trees were displayed in what is now Estonia and Latvia in the 15th century, it was the Germans who truly began the decorating tradition. They adorned the tree with wax candles, fruits, and trinkets, and for a time, the practice was mainly confined to the upper Rheinland region of Germany. The idea gradually spread throughout the Christian world, as royal families from neighboring countries caught on. Hallmark, you can thank Germany for the countless ornaments you sell every year.
9. Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny, as we know it today, was first mentioned in 16th-century German texts. In the 1700s, the tradition was brought to the New World by Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. Children of these settlers believed that if they were well-behaved, the Easter Bunny would visit, laying eggs and treats in nests created from overturned hats and bonnets.
8. Easter Eggs Hunts
Though evidence on the matter isn't as concrete as other traditions, it is widely believed that the custom of hiding Easter eggs originated in Southern Germany. While the myth of the Easter bunny laying eggs in the grass had already been circulating for some time, the Germans took it a step further by encouraging children to hunt for eggs in tricky and hard-to-spot locations. Leave it to the Germans to really elevate the tradition!
7. Gummi Bears
I (and likely most American readers) always assumed that Gummi Bears were an American creation. However, these chewy candies were actually invented in the 1920s by Hans Riegel Sr., who founded the Haribo company. Not only does Haribo produce Gummi Bears and other gummy treats under their brand, but they also manufacture all Trolli gummy candy products, such as the well-known gummy worms.
6. Prefabricated Houses
Ha, take that, you 'American white trash' stereotype makers! The prefab home – or as we should really call them, the trailer home – was invented by Warner Sell from Berlin. After World War II, there was an urgent need to house U.S. forces stationed in Germany. Sell's company produced over 5000 prefabricated homes, and the soldiers enjoyed living in some pretty decent accommodations!
5. Here Comes the Bride
Originally known as 'Treulich geführt', the song forever tied to brides in white gowns was composed by Richard Wagner in 1850 for his opera, Lohengrin. While it is traditionally played as the bride walks down the aisle, it was originally performed with lyrics by the bridal party after the ceremony in the opera. The video clip above offers a wonderful rendition of this piece. By the way, the other wedding song (the recessional) is also by a German composer: Felix Mendelssohn, with his famous Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (youtube clip).
4. Everything Disney Does
From Disney’s adaptations of Grimm’s Fairy Tales like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White, to the construction of a near replica of the Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, German culture has heavily influenced Disney movies and theme parks. Without German inspiration, Disney’s magic and Hollywood’s embrace of Japanese horror (like J-Horror) would have been far less thrilling!
3. The Hair Perm
The first perm was invented by German hairdresser Charles Nessler. Using a mixture of cow urine and water, he achieved those curly, bouncy waves. Not the best scent, ladies. Before perfecting the harsh chemicals we know today, he conducted trials on his wife—two of which nearly burned off her hair and caused severe scalp burns. That would probably lead to a divorce! Thanks for the poodle look in the 4th grade, Germany!
2. Light Bulb
Heinrich Göbel’s unfortunate fate was being overshadowed by Thomas Edison, despite having developed the incandescent light bulb more than 25 years earlier. The problem? Göbel forgot one small detail—he didn’t file a patent. (To be fair, he was born and raised in Germany, but he was living in the U.S. by the time his invention came to light). At least Tesla wasn’t the only one who got outshone by Edison.
1. American Picnic Items
Almost every essential ingredient for the quintessential ‘All-American’ picnic traces its roots back to Germany. Take the hot dog, or Frankfurter, for example—a pork sausage first created in 13th-century Germany. Then there are the condiments: Ketchup, developed by Heinz, and Mayonnaise, created by Hellmann—both of whom were German immigrants. While some of these items are based on older recipes (Ketchup from Ancient Rome, Mayonnaise from France), the versions we enjoy today are distinctly German. And let’s not forget the classic Potato Salad. There are countless variations, but one of the most beloved is the traditional German potato salad.
