Pittsburgh Trivia

Pittsburgh Firsts

First newspaper west of the Alleghenies (1789) - The Pittsburgh Gazette
First Ferris Wheel (1893)
World's First Commercial Radio Station (1920) – KDKA
First Ice Capades (1940)
First All-Aluminum Building (1953) – Regional Enterprise Tower (formerly the Alcoa Building)
First Polio Vaccine (1954) – Dr. Jonas Salk at the University of Pittsburgh
First U.S. Public Television Station (1954) – WQED
First Retractable Dome (1961) – Mellon Arena
First Mass Transit Busway System (1964) - Allegheny County Port Authority
First Nighttime World Series Game (1971)
First Robotics Center (1979)- Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Institute
First Internet emoticon, the smiley :-) (1982) - Carnegie Mellon University computer scientist Scott Fahlman

Filmed on location in Pittsburgh

Hollywood film crews are drawn to Pittsburgh for its endless variety of architecture, neighborhood charm and great local support. More than 50 major films have been shot on location in the area during the past decade, including the Academy Award-winning 'The Silence of the Lambs', 'Lorenzo's Oil' and 'Hoffa'. Other highlights include:

'The Mysteries of Pittsburgh'
'Wonder Boys'
'Desperate Measures'
'Kingpin'
'The Mothman Prophecies'
'Striking Distance'
'Inspector Gadget'
'Milk Money'
'Roommates'
'Boys on the Side'
'Houseguest'
'The Deer Hunter'
'Money For Nothing'
'Only You'
'Dominick + Eugene'
'Sudden Death'

Famous Pittsburghers

Dancers/ choregoraphers Martha Graham and Gene Kelly
Musicians Stephen Foster, Henry Mancini, Billy Strayhorn, Billy Eckstine and George Benson
Vocalists Lena Horne and Perry Como
Pulitzer Prize-winning writers August Wilson and Annie Dillard
Environmentalist and Silent Spring author Rachel Carson
Actors / Musicians Michael Keaton, The Vogues, Rusted Root, Christina Aguilera, Bobby Vinton, Jeff Goldblum and Dennis Miller
Football superstars Tony Dorsett, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly and Gus Frerotte

Pittsburgh's Famous Food

The Big Mac, the world's most famous hamburger, was 'invented' near Pittsburgh by McDonald's franchise owner Jim Delligatti in 1967 and distributed nationally in 1968.
Heinz Ketchup, invented in Pittsburgh by H.J. Heinz.
Pierogies, found at restaurants throughout Pittsburgh, reflect Pittsburgh's Polish heritage. Cooked in butter, these delicious dumplings are stuffed with potato and other flavorings depending on the creativity and tradition of the cook.
Chipped Ham is one of Pittsburgh's most famous foods. This spicy lunch meat made its debut in 1933 at Isaly's, a locally based family chain of dairy stores. Former Pittsburghers are known to have it trucked or flown across the country when they get a hankering for this hometown favorite.
The Klondike Bar, another Isaly's original, is a vanilla ice-cream bar dipped in pure chocolate and packaged in a familiar silver wrapper. They cost a nickel when Sam Isaly invented them in 1929.
Wedding Soup, that delectable Italian broth with tiny meatballs and rich egg pastina, is served throughout the city.
Fried Zucchini Strips - thin, crispy and savory, are a hometown original and popular as an appetizer.
'Pittsburgh Salad' – take any salad and top with french fries.
Primanti Bros. Sandwich – A sandwich with the fries and coleslaw added right in. Invented during the Depression so that day laborers could hold their entire lunch in one hand.