Pittsburgh, and the people who call the Steel City home, has racked up some pretty impressive accomplishments during its rich history. But, how much do you really know about your hometown? Test your Pittsburgh IQ by checking out these 18 fun facts about Pittsburgh:

  1. The first Ferris Wheel was invented by native Pittsburgher George W. Ferris.

WikiMedia/Public Domain

  1. Sam Isaly invented the Klondike Bar in 1929. Pittsburghers know and love Isaly’s Deli for its chipped ham and barbecue sauce, among other favorites.

Flickr/Ken

  1. Carnegie Mellon University opened the first Robotics Center in 1979.

Flickr/Carolyn

  1. When WQED first aired in 1954, it became the first public television station in the United States.

Flickr/Mel Trent

  1. Jim Delligatti, a McDonald’s franchisee, invented the Big Mac in Pittsburgh in 1967.

Flickr/Elliot

  1. Scott Fahlman, a computer scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, created the smiley face emoticon in 1980.

Flickr/Ashwan Lewis

  1. Jonas Salk, of the University of Pittsburgh, invented the world’s first polio vaccine in 1952.

Wikimedia/Public Domain

  1. With six victories, the Pittsburgh Steelers have won the most Super Bowls in the NFL. (All Pittsburghers know that but it certainly is worth a mention)!

Flickr/Jeffrey Beall

  1. Fred Rogers, our beloved Mister Rogers, is from Latrobe.

Wikimedia/Public Domain

  1. The Carnegie Museum of Art, which opened in 1895, holds the distinction of being the world’s first modern art museum.

Flickr/Steve Loya

  1. The Steel City boasts 446 bridges, more than any other city in the world.

Flickr/bobistraveling

  1. Pittsburgh is named after William Pitt.

Flickr/Elliott Brown

  1. Pittsburgh is home to the world’s fifth largest opera company. The Pittsburgh Opera debuted in 1939.

Flickr/The Young Ryan G

  1. The Poison Center at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh created the first Mr. Yuk stickers in 1971.

Flickr/Al Garman

  1. BINGO! That’s right. The very first Bingo game, invented by Hugh J. Ward, was called in Pittsburgh in the beginning of the 1920s and by 1924 it was a nationwide phenomenon.

Flickr/Michael Cote

  1. The Pirates played in the first World Series, and lost to the Boston Americans, in October of 1903.

Flickr/Boston Public Library

  1. The Civic Arena made history, becoming the first stadium with a retractable roof, when it opened on September 18, 1961.

Flickr/Perry Quan

  1. Presbyterian-University Hospital entered the history books on December 3, 1989 when doctors performed the world’s first kidney, liver, and heart transplant.

Flickr/Dr. Boll

How many of the 18 fun facts about Pittsburgh did you already know? Did any surprise you? Do you have any fun facts you’d like to share?

WikiMedia/Public Domain

Flickr/Ken

Flickr/Carolyn

Flickr/Mel Trent

Flickr/Elliot

Flickr/Ashwan Lewis

Wikimedia/Public Domain

Flickr/Jeffrey Beall

Flickr/Steve Loya

Flickr/bobistraveling

Flickr/Elliott Brown

Flickr/The Young Ryan G

Flickr/Al Garman

Flickr/Michael Cote

Flickr/Boston Public Library

Flickr/Perry Quan

Flickr/Dr. Boll

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