Fun facts about Chicago

Chicago is home to the Oprah Winfrey Show, Wrigley Field, and world famous deep dish pizza, just to name a few. But among all the obvious reasons the city is famous for, there are many more fun and interesting facts about the Windy City that are not so obvious but fun to know. The city is full of art and history as well as beaches, parks and more than 7,300 restaurants.

I bet you didn’t know…

Bet you didn’t know that in 1837 Chicago became a city and grew to become the largest city in Illinois or that “Route 66” began in what is also known as the “Working City”. 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 Chicago Cubs.

In addition to being involved in many firsts in this country, the “Second City,” as it has also been nicknamed, has been on the cutting edge of engineering technology that was demonstrated when the city successfully changed the flow of the Chicago River so that it no longer it emptied into Lake Michigan, but ran into the Mississippi River instead. This was done in the 1900s and was increasingly ahead of its time when it came to technology. The city has continued to be at the forefront of technology.

Is that really true?

Is it really true that Chicago has the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere? YES, Willis Tower is 110 stories tall and from the highest observation deck you can see 4 states. Is it true that the city has 1 of the 3 remaining free zoos in the country? YES, Lincoln Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in the country and is visited by millions each 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 the city’s blood shortage.

Is it true that Chicago has had only one parent, its mayors? YES, Richard J. Daley is the father of Richard M. Daley and they have both been mayors of this beautiful city. Is it true that the first planetarium was built here? YES, in 1930 the 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 a lot of cultural history were born here and this great city will continue to produce great things.