Ten Inventions that Came from Tennessee

How Tennessee Changed the World

By Amy Brantley, published Aug 15, 2007
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Tennessee has several little known facts. Some of those little known facts revolve around inventions. Tennessee is not only the birthplace of Jack Daniel's, MoonPies, and Mountain Dew, but Tennessee is also the birthplace of the atomic bomb, touchscreen monitors, and even the first self service grocery store. Here is a bit of information about the inventions that came from Tennessee.

Ten Inventions That Came From Tennessee #1: Atomic Bomb

After being told the Nazi's were going to start building an atomic bomb, the United States started a project called "The Manhattan Project". The project was started sometime after August 2, 1939 and took place in Oak Ridge. During "The Manhattan Project", scientists were able to isolate isotopes required for the atomic bomb. This means that this invention partially came from Tennessee.

Ten Inventions That Came From Tennessee #2: Miniature Golf

Who doesn't love miniature golf? But, who would suspect that this invention came from Tennessee? In 1927, Garnet Carter invented a game to draw more people to his hotel in Chattanooga. The game was called "Tom Thumb Golf", but would later be known as miniature golf.

Ten Inventions That Came From Tennessee #3: Mountain Dew

In the 1940s, Mountain Dew was invented. But, this invention that came from Tennessee was not the soda that we know today. In fact, Mountain Dew was originally invented as a mixer for alcohol. It was later bought by the Pepsi Company in 1964.

Ten Inventions That Came From Tennessee #4: Touchscreen Monitor

Fast food restaurants wouldn't be the same without touchscreen monitors. Believe it or not, this invention that came from Oak Ridge, Tennessee was actually invented in 1977. The touchscreen monitor was shown to the public during the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Ten Inventions That Came From Tennessee #5: MoonPie

The history of the MoonPie dates back almost 100 years. This invention which came from Chattanooga, Tennessee was invented at The Chattanooga Bakery in 1917. The bakery originally began as a way to use up extra flour created by a flour mill.

Ten Inventions that Came from Tennessee

The first self service grocery store was invented in Tennessee.

Credit: calgrin

Copyright: morgueFile

Takeaways
  • The atomic bomb was partially created in Oak Ridge.
  • MoonPies, Krystal Hamburgs, miniature golf, and tow trucks came from Chattanooga.
  • Mountain Dew was invented in Knoxville.
Did You Know?
Other foods found at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis include ice cream cones and Dr. Pepper.
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 12 of 12
 
 
I'm all about TN and i never knew that stuff!!!! :-)

Posted on 02/08/2008 at 4:02:23 PM

 
infamous for #1 and famous for the rest. Thanks for sharing this information

Posted on 10/14/2007 at 12:10:00 PM

 
Wow~how interesting! Great article!

Posted on 08/19/2007 at 3:08:00 PM

 
I had no idea about some of these... I used to spend quite a bit of time in Tennessee. Had NO idea about the atomic bomb.

Posted on 08/18/2007 at 11:08:00 PM

 
Interesting facts...having lived in Cleveland and Calhoun, TN I know they are fanatics about their Krystals and Moonpies!:-)

Posted on 08/17/2007 at 6:08:00 PM

 
This was both fun and interesting. Thanks for the great read!

Posted on 08/17/2007 at 4:08:00 PM

 
mini golf? thanks tennessee!

Posted on 08/16/2007 at 8:08:00 AM

 
What an interesting list! Atomic bomb and moonpies!

Posted on 08/16/2007 at 7:08:00 AM

 
Very interesting!

Posted on 08/16/2007 at 7:08:00 AM

 
Except for #1 and #3, pretty solid contributions.

Posted on 08/15/2007 at 7:08:00 PM

 
I'm surprised about #1. Sophie

Posted on 08/15/2007 at 5:08:00 PM

 
Fantastic article! Gotta love those moonpies! :-)

Posted on 08/15/2007 at 5:08:00 PM

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