Since its founding, Chicago has influenced the most prominent cities across the Globe. From NY to Berlin, from São Paulo to London. However, not many people know that. Until now. Watch the video and find out more. Or just come to Chicago and see for yourself.
Chicago Tour Not In Chicago
New York City is full of Chicago stories. So, take a seat, jump into these stories, and enjoy the ride.
1Spray Paint
New York is known for its vibrant street art scene, like the Mural Project, next to the One World Tower. All of which was made possible by Chicago. In 1947, Chicagoan Edward Seymour was the first to fill an aerosol can with paint. When he pressed the button, a light bulb went off and he realized that he’d made painting easier and portable.
2Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago Pizza hasn't influenced NY Pizza. But we'd like to think of this as a gift. So, if you want to try a legit Deep Dish Pizza in New York, that's your stop.
3Electric Laundry Machine
We cannot picture of our lives without the laundry machine. That's why Laundromats are in every corner of NYC, like this one - The New York Laundromat Is the unofficial laundromat of New York City. It might not be one of New York’s major landmarks, but it’s an essential one and it wouldn’t exist without Chicago. The washing machine was invented in Chicago in 1908 by the Hurley Machine Company.
4Meatpacking district
It’s impossible to talk about the Meatpacking District without thinking of the Chicago Meatpacking District. In the 1800s and early 1900s, Chicago was known as the Hog Butcher of the World. Also, Chicago developed a way to send fresh-chilled beef in ice-cooled railroad cars all the way to the East Coast. If it weren't for Chicago, we would either need to live next to a farm or New York wouldn't have any steaks.
5House Music
Le Bain is a popular New York City dance club where you’ll regularly hear classic House Music, a musical genre originated entirely in Chicago. House Music, now played in every nightclub across the globe, was invented in the early 80’s by Frankie Knuckles. The genre was named after a shortened version of the club that Mr. Knuckles used to play, the Warehouse, next to Downtown Chicago
6Flatiron Building
One of the most incredible NY landmarks was designed and built in 1902 by Daniel Burnham and his Chicago Architecture firm. in other words, raised in New York, but born in Chicago. In Manhattan, Burnham also built the Wanamaker's Annex on 770 Broadway and the Gimbels Brothers Building, today known as Manhattan Mall at 33rd St. and 6th Ave.
7Empire State Building
As with any skyscraper, this beauty of architecture would never exist if it weren’t for Chicago. Why? Well, you'll find out very soon. So, admire now, and learn more at Stop 13.
8Coffee Maker
New York City has a vast collection of coffee drinkers and coffee shops. They are everywhere. And guess where the coffee maker came from? That’s right! CHICAGO! In 1930, a Chicago woman named Inez H. Pierce filed a patent for an automated “vacuum” coffee maker, eventually leading to the rise and spread of American coffee drinkers.
9Zipper
Before having a fixed address, Bryant Park hosted the world-famous New York Fashion Week for almost 20 years. And Chicago is part of this story, too. In 1893, It was in the city of Big Shoulders where the Zipper was invented by Whitcomb Judson, changing the fashion world forever.
10Film Critic
Besides being one of the world’s most famous newspapers, the New York Times is also know for its film critics. However, the film critic wasn’t even a real job until it was created at the Chicago Tribune in 1914. The two most famous film critics of all time were from Chicago, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.
11Mobile Phone
The first Mobile Phone was developed by Martin “Marty” Cooper of Chicago in 1973. According to the story, Marty’s first ever phone was inspired by the show Star Trek. And you know where the 1st call was made? Nope, not Chicago. It was on the 6th Avenue in New York.
12Second City
30 Rock is home to NBC Studios which has hosted Saturday Night Live for 45 years and running. The original crew and many of SNL’s most famous alums started at Second City School in Chicago. Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Candy, John Belushi, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, Mike Meyers, Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer, Rachel Dratch, Cecily Strong, Seth Meyers, Jason Sudeikis, Tiny Fey, and many others.
13Skyscrapers
The skyscraper and architectural technology to make skyscrapers was invented in Chicago. The world’s first high-rise building was the Home Insurance Building, erected in 1884-1885. The so-called “Father of the Skyscraper” towered all of 10 stories with its peak at 138 feet, miniature by today’s standards but gargantuan at that time. The architect, Major William LeBaron Jenney, incorporated a steel frame that supported not only the walls but the great weight of the entire building.
14Softball
In the south of Central Park, you will notice that there are six softball fields. A sport that started on Thanksgiving Day 1887 and was invented by a Chicago Board of Trade reporter named George Hancock. Nowadays, according to the Amateur Softball Association, it’s the most played team sport in the United States.
15American Film Industry
Central Park is the most filmed location in the world. But do you know where the American film industry actually began? Hint: Not New York, Not Hollywood. CHICAGO. From 1907, Essanay Studios in Uptown Chicago put out over 2000 shorts and feature films.
16Sinatra's House
530 E. 72nd St. is where Frank Sinatra lived. The famous singer wrote not one but two songs about Chicago.
See how Chicago has influenced other cities around the world.
Berlin
Chicago In Berlin Facts
Mexico City
Chicago In Mexico City Facts
São Paulo
Chicago In São Paulo Facts
Tokyo
Chicago In Tokyo Facts
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The Contributions
Share the inventions Chicago has given to the world.
Flat Iron
One of the most incredible NY landmarks was designed and built in 1902 by Daniel Burnham and his Chicago Architecture firm. in other words, raised in New York, but born in Chicago. In Manhattan, Burnham also built the Wanamaker's Annex on 770 Broadway and the Gimbels Brothers Building, today known as Manhattan Mall at 33rd St. and 6th Ave.
Zipper
Neither in Paris nor Milan, the Zipper was invented in 1893 by Whitcomb Judson in Chicago. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
American Cinema Industry
Believe or not, the American Cinema Industry wasn’t born in LA, but in Chicago in 1907. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
Mobile Phone
It wasn’t in Asia or Silicon Valley, the first Mobile Phone was developed by “Marty” Cooper of Chicago in 1973. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
London Eye
One of London's most famous landmarks only exists thanks to George Ferris who created the first Ferris wheel in Chicago, in 1893. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
Softball
Softball, one of the most popular sports in the country, was invented in Chicago by reporter George Hancock in 1887. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
House Music
New York’s most popular nightclub music genre, House Music, was invented in Chicago by Frankie Knuckles in the 80’s. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
Comedy Scene
Saturday Night Live never would’ve been the same without Chicago, as many of its most famous alumni started at Second City in Chicago, including its entire original crew. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
Soap Opera
Mexican television’s biggest hit was actually invented in Chicago by actress Irna Phillips in 1930. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
Electric Laundry Machine
You may find a Laundry machine on every NYC corner, but the first was invented in 1908 by the Hurley Machine Company of Chicago. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
Coffee Maker
Even though New Yorkers are addicted to coffee, the coffee maker was invented in 1930 by the Chicagoan Inez H. Pierce. Every city has a Chicago story. Get to know all of them at ChicagoNotInChicago.com #ChicagoNotInChicago #CityOfStories
