Back in the day, millions of people sent their inventions to DC to the Old Patent Office for patent approval so DC is familiar with inventions and innovations. But DC isn’t just a received of innovation. We’ve been known to start some things ourselves. These 6 things Washington DC was the first to do.
- Sell toys in a huge kid wonderland
Facebook/Toys"R"Us Every kid has known the excitement of running into a Toys R Us. Well they were started in DC in 1948! The first store was on 18th Street and probably not as big as the superstores we know and love today.
- Go go music
Flickr/Dale Sundstrom The fun, funky blend of rhythm and blues and hip hop all began in DC with the legendary Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers, the Young Senators and Black Heat.
- Print American money
Flickr/401(k) 2012 Oh yes, you read that right. Those crisp green twenties you have in your hand all began in DC at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
- Donate blood
Flickr/ec-jpr The life changing gift of donating blood originated from DC doctor Charles Drew in World War II.
- Redefined the boring healthy salad
Facebook/Sweetgreen Sweetgreen, the innovative salad shop where you can enjoy healthy, delicious fresh salads all began in DC from two DC grads in 2007.
- Sent a telegraph
Courtesy of Wikimedia Samuel FB Morse sent the first telegraph message from inventor Samuel F.M Morse on May 24,1844 to Baltimore.
Were you surprised about any of these things that DC did first? Do you know of any other inventions that began in DC? Don’t miss the history of DC that’s captured in these 12 photographs!
Facebook/Toys"R"Us
Every kid has known the excitement of running into a Toys R Us. Well they were started in DC in 1948! The first store was on 18th Street and probably not as big as the superstores we know and love today.
Flickr/Dale Sundstrom
The fun, funky blend of rhythm and blues and hip hop all began in DC with the legendary Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers, the Young Senators and Black Heat.
Flickr/401(k) 2012
Oh yes, you read that right. Those crisp green twenties you have in your hand all began in DC at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Flickr/ec-jpr
The life changing gift of donating blood originated from DC doctor Charles Drew in World War II.
Facebook/Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen, the innovative salad shop where you can enjoy healthy, delicious fresh salads all began in DC from two DC grads in 2007.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
Samuel FB Morse sent the first telegraph message from inventor Samuel F.M Morse on May 24,1844 to Baltimore.
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