West Virginians have always been creative, and that means that lots of things started here. In addition to our beautiful landscapes and scenery, unique heritage, and fascinating scientific exploration, a lot of inventions have come out of this state. In fact, you’ll never guess the breadth of what was invented in West Virginia. We already brought you a list of West Virginia inventions, but there are more than that. Here are eight more things that you may not know began in West Virginia.
- Grandparents’ Day
David Monniaux / Wikimedia Marian McQuade of Oak Hills is credited for founding Grandparents Day in 1973. She wanted a day to celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren, something secular that would allow all parties to celebrate the love between them. Pictured are Forget-me-nots, the official flowers of the holiday.
- The nation’s first public spa
Berkeley Springs, WV / Facebook Berkeley Springs boasts the country’s first spa that was open to the public. We have a lot to thank them for considering how popular spas are nowadays. Everyone wants a massage after a long week. It was before we became a state, I know, but I’m counting it.
- The first tunnel to be monitored by television
Boston Public Library / Flickr That was at the Memorial Tunnel on the West Virginia Turnpike (now closed). Now most tunnels are monitored by television for safety and traffic control.
- Outdoor advertising
Jarek Tuszynsk / Wikimedia Got its start with Mail Pouch tobacco ads on barns in Wheeling. It’s pretty crazy that what started as a simple way to get the word out has become a huge advertising industry. Every billboard, blimp, and flyer ad you get started right here.
- One of the first publications for women
Jon S. / Flickr The Ladies’ Garland newspaper was published in Harpers Ferry in 1824. It focused specifically on women’s interest issues, or what women were presumed to be interested in at the time. Of course it was still published and written by men.
- Rural Free Delivery
Popular Mechanics / Wikimedia The first routes for Rural Free Delivery started in Jefferson County. Prior to that, people living in rural places traveled to cities to get their mail or paid someone for delivery. Rural Free Delivery, and we supposed everywhere free delivery, would become an important tenant of the USPS as the system developed.
- First municipally owned parking garage
Magnolia677 / Wikimedia Opening in Welch in 1941. Without this we might still only have the option for high priced private garages or tough to find street parking.
- And of course, pepperoni rolls
Lewie Osborne / Flickr The inventor was Giuseppe Argiro, an Italian who came in 1920 to work in the mines in Clarksburg, according to the state Division of Culture and History. Perhaps it was because of this hands on job that he wanted to invent something portable and easy to eat while out and about. Not to mention delicious.
As you can see, West Virginia is an innovative state that is responsible for creating a lot of the things we take for granted today. That birthday card you got delivered to your small town? West Virginia. The CCTV cams in your local tunnel? West Virginia. What else started here? Let me know what I missed in the comments.
David Monniaux / Wikimedia
Marian McQuade of Oak Hills is credited for founding Grandparents Day in 1973. She wanted a day to celebrate the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren, something secular that would allow all parties to celebrate the love between them. Pictured are Forget-me-nots, the official flowers of the holiday.
Berkeley Springs, WV / Facebook
Berkeley Springs boasts the country’s first spa that was open to the public. We have a lot to thank them for considering how popular spas are nowadays. Everyone wants a massage after a long week. It was before we became a state, I know, but I’m counting it.
Boston Public Library / Flickr
That was at the Memorial Tunnel on the West Virginia Turnpike (now closed). Now most tunnels are monitored by television for safety and traffic control.
Jarek Tuszynsk / Wikimedia
Got its start with Mail Pouch tobacco ads on barns in Wheeling. It’s pretty crazy that what started as a simple way to get the word out has become a huge advertising industry. Every billboard, blimp, and flyer ad you get started right here.
Jon S. / Flickr
The Ladies’ Garland newspaper was published in Harpers Ferry in 1824. It focused specifically on women’s interest issues, or what women were presumed to be interested in at the time. Of course it was still published and written by men.
Popular Mechanics / Wikimedia
The first routes for Rural Free Delivery started in Jefferson County. Prior to that, people living in rural places traveled to cities to get their mail or paid someone for delivery. Rural Free Delivery, and we supposed everywhere free delivery, would become an important tenant of the USPS as the system developed.
Magnolia677 / Wikimedia
Opening in Welch in 1941. Without this we might still only have the option for high priced private garages or tough to find street parking.
Lewie Osborne / Flickr
The inventor was Giuseppe Argiro, an Italian who came in 1920 to work in the mines in Clarksburg, according to the state Division of Culture and History. Perhaps it was because of this hands on job that he wanted to invent something portable and easy to eat while out and about. Not to mention delicious.
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Address: West Virginia, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
West Virginia History December 30, 2022 CC Where can I learn more about West Virginia?
West Virginia State Museum Morgantown History Museum Jefferson County Museum Huntington Museum of Art The Mountaineer Military Museum
The OIYS Visitor Center
West Virginia History
December 30, 2022
CC
Where can I learn more about West Virginia?
West Virginia State Museum Morgantown History Museum Jefferson County Museum Huntington Museum of Art The Mountaineer Military Museum
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
- West Virginia State Museum
- Morgantown History Museum
- Jefferson County Museum
- Huntington Museum of Art
- The Mountaineer Military Museum
