Philadelphia Firsts

Philadelphia Firsts. . , 1684 First Glassworks: The first glassworks in America opens in Frankford. , 1689 First Free Public Schools: Philadelphia becomes the first city in America to provide free education for all children. , 1710 First Rocking Chair: Benjamin Franklin creates the first rocking chair. , 1731 The Library Company: Benjamin Franklin and members of his discussion club buy the books for the first circulating library in America. , 1736 First Volunteer Fire Co.: The Union Fire Company in Philadelphia is America's first active volunteer fire fighting company. , 1742 First Puppet Show: The first recorded puppet show in America is staged in Philadelphia. , 1743 First Learned Society: Scientific discussion and learning is promoted by the American Philosophical Society, founded by Benjamin Franklin. , 1751 First Public Lighting: Philadelphia becomes the first city in America to provide its streets with public lighting. , 1754 First Editorial Cartoon: Benjamin Franklin draws America's first editorial cartoon, published in the Pennsylvania Gazette on May 9. , 1761 First Paved Street: A public lottery is organized to raise funds to pave Market (then High) Street. , 1766 First Theater: America's first theater is established in Southwark. , 1767 First Play: The Prince of Pathia, by Thomas Godey Jr., is the first play by an American performed in this country. , 1768 First Mustard: Benjamin Jackson begins to manufacture the first mustard in America on Germantown Road. , 1776 Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, is read for the first time in a crowd in front of the State House. , 1777 First American Flag: Elizabeth Griscomb (Betsy) Ross creates the first american flag based on instructions from George Washington. , 1780 First Abolition Act: Philadelphia becomes the first government in the world to legislate against slavery. , 1786: First Steamboat , 1792: First Mint , 1793 First Balloon Flight: Jean Pierre Blanchard makes the first balloon flight in America, taking off from behind Independence Hall. , 1793 First Circus: Master Rickett's Circus performs its enchanting wonders at Twelfth and Market Street. , 1794 First Naval Yard: The first United States Naval Yard is built in South Philadelphia. , 1797: First Bank. , 1798 First Waterworks: The first waterworks in America, designed by Benjamin Latrobe, pumps water from the Schuylkill river to the city's population. , 1804 First Horseless Carriage: Philadelphia inventor Oliver Evans drives his Orukler Amphibolos, America's first steam driven car, up Market Street. , 1816 First Savings Bank: The Philadelphia Savings Fund (PSFS) is the oldest savings bank in America. , 1832 First Steam Locomotive: Matthias Baldwin builds America's first successful steam locomotive, nicknamed 'Old Ironsides.' , 1839 First American Photograph: Joseph Saxon snaps the nation's first daguerreotype from the second floor window of the U.S. Mint. , 1850: First Billfold. , 1854: First Accordion. , 1855: First Children's Hospital: The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia becomes the first medical facility for youth in America. , 1861 First Postcard: John P. Carlton copyrights the first postcard in the world. , 1866 First Root Beer: A Jefferson Medical College student manufactures and sells this new drink. , 1874 First Zoo: The Philadelphia Zoological Garden is the oldest in America. , 1874 First Ice Cream Soda: Robert Green's chance decision to combine ice cream with soda creates one of America's tastiest refreshments. , 1902 First Automat: The first American automat restaurant is developed by John Fritsche for the Horn and Hardan Baking Company. , 1933 First Girl Scout Cookies: The first Girl Scout Cookies in America are baked in the kitchen of the Philadelphia Gas and Electric Company. , 1945 First Computer: The nation's first computer, ENIAC, is developed at the University of Pennsylvania.