When it comes to states steeped in history, few can compare to New Jersey. From baseball and the first drive-in to the invention of the light bulb and phonograph, many pioneering events and innovations occurred in the state, most of which have profoundly impacted the world. And when it comes to gambling, it was one of the first states to legalize online casinos.
New Jersey is in America’s North-East and borders Pennsylvania, New York and the Atlantic Ocean. Gambling enthusiasts may have heard of New Jersey’s gambling mecca, Atlantic City, and its boardwalk to the very east of the state. But whether you’re in the north, south, west or east, there are many unique and extraordinary sights to visit and discover why NJ is regarded as one of America’s trailblazing states. Here are six famous firsts to come out of New Jersey.
The First Things To Come From New Jersey
For those pondering the question: “What is New Jersey known for?” the answer is various things, from the state’s online gambling opportunities to its historical landmarks, like the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Below are a few of the first inventions and events that happened in New Jersey.
The First Light Bulb
Arguably one of the most globally impactful inventions of all time, the first light bulb was created in 1879 by one of America’s most prolific inventors, Thomas Edison. He’s also responsible for creating the automatic telegraph, phonograph and movie camera, all of which were curated and completed in Menlo Park and West Orange, New Jersey.
The First Baseball Game
In 1846, the first-ever baseball game was played at Elysian Fields in Hoboken, New Jersey. Nestled on the banks of the Hudson River, which acts as the border between New Jersey and New York, the fixture was between the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club and the New York Nine – the Knickerbockers went onto a landslide win, 23-1.
Since baseball’s first match, the love of the game has spilled over global borders. It’s estimated that there are 500 million baseball fans worldwide.
The First Boardwalk
Not only is New Jersey home to the first boardwalk in America, but it’s also the first in the world. Built by Andrew J. Boardman, the first section of the Atlantic City Boardwalk opened along the New Jersey beach on June 26, 1870. Originally built of wood, the 100-foot-wide promenade became an instant hit and would attract tourists from up and down the East Coast.
Since then it’s been rebuilt and expanded and today it’s a five-mile-long promenade. Overlooked by popular hotels, restaurants and shops, it’s considered one of New Jersey’s hottest destinations. Beyond this, Atlantic City is brimming with a variety of unique activities. While its casino scene attracts the most tourism, there’s also the Absecon Lighthouse, Steel Pie and street art to occupy your time.
Regarding gambling and New Jersey, the state is home to some of the best poker players in the world, including all-time greats Phil Ivey, Thomas Marchese and Darren Elias.
The First Drive-In Movie Theater
Although drive-in theaters are a thing of the past, they used to be widely popular in their heyday. New Jersey native, Richard Hollingshead, was responsible for creating the first drive-in movie theater in 1933. It soon gathered countrywide success – over 4,000 drive-ins opened during the 1950s – and later, worldwide in South Africa, England, France and beyond.
Interestingly, the inspiration behind Hollingshead’s idea came from his mother. After hearing her complain about the uncomfortable seats at indoor theaters, he began exploring alternative ways to watch the big screen and settled with a drive-in movie theater. At its pinnacle, it was one of the most popular things to do in New Jersey.
The First U.S. Supermarket
Located in Hoboken, New Jersey, the Piggly Wiggly opened its doors in 1930 and would forever change the way society shopped. It gained immediate success and spread domestically – there were 2,000 Piggly Wiggly stores operating by the end of the 1930s.
The First Brewery
When it comes to beverage preferences for adults, few are more popular than beer. The first brewery opened in Hoboken, New Jersey – over a hundred years before America gained independence – in 1642.
It was a time when European settlers were beginning to colonize America, and water was plagued with cholera and typhoid, meaning beer was a safer option and the most popular preference for many.
The first brewery, known as Brewery Vosburg, was set up by Dutch settler Peter Stuyvesant and soon became a melting pot for Dutch, British and French immigrants. This went on to spark the beginning of breweries around the original thirteen states.
Gamble Online on Borgata Online
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