Fun Facts About Chicago
Chicago is the home of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Wrigley Field and world famous deep dish pizza just to name a few. But among all of the obvious reasons the city is famous there are many more fun and interesting facts about the windy city that are not as obvious but fun to know. The city is full of art and history as well as beaches, parks and more than 7300 restaurants.
I Bet You Didn’t Know…
I bet you didn’t know that in 1837 Chicago became a city and has grown into the biggest city in Illinois or that “Route 66” began in what is also known as the “City that Works”. In 1893 the world’s first Ferris wheel made its debut at the World’s Columbian Exposition and softball was invented in the city that eventually became known for its larger than life sports teams including the Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Cubs.
Along with being involved in a lot of firsts in this country the “Second City” as it has also been nicknamed has been on the edge of engineering technology which was demonstrated when the city successfully changed the flow of the Chicago River so that it no longer emptied into Lake Michigan but ran into the Mississippi River instead. This was done in the 1900’s and was increasingly ahead of its time as far as technology was concerned. The city has continued to be on the cutting edge of technology.
Is That Really True?
Is it really true that Chicago holds the tallest building in the western hemisphere? YES, Willis Tower stands 110 stories high and from the tallest observation deck 4 states can be seen. Is it true that the city holds 1 of 3 free zoos still left in the country? YES, Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the country and is visited by millions every year. Is it true that the first blood bank was opened in the city? YES, in 1937 Dr. Bernard Fantus established the first public blood bank at Cook County Hospital to help with blood shortages in the city.
Is it true that Chicago has had the only father – son Mayors? YES, Richard J. Daley is the father of Richard M. Daley and they have both been mayor of this beautiful city. Is it True that the first planetarium was built here? YES, in 1930, Adler Planetarium was built and it was not only the first planetarium in the country, but the first planetarium built in the entire western hemisphere. Is it true that the first remote control was invented here? YES, in 1950 the first television remote control was introduced to the public.
So as you can see there are a lot of fun facts that you may or may not have known about the great city of Chicago. Technology, sports and lots of cultural history have been born here and this great city will continue to produce great things.