Ahead of the rest: traditions and things that first appeared in New York, but then spread to the USA and the world

There is a high probability that New York is number one in your heart. But he was also the first in a number of other achievements, writes Only in Your State.

1. New York was the first capital of the USA (1785 - 1790)

New York was the first capital of the USA. This, of course, is not an invention, but an important example of superiority. The very first meetings of Congress and the Supreme Court were held in Federal Hall on Wall Street (then called the Old City Hall). George Washington was inaugurated there as president.

Unfortunately, New York's role as the capital was short-lived. In 1790, the honor was moved to Philadelphia due to concerns that New York's high society was too aristocratic and financially oriented.

On the subject: How to dress so you don't look like a tourist in New York

2. The world's first steamship "Clairmont" sailed in the waters of the Hudson (1807)

As the world's first steamboat, the Claremont literally changed the history of transport. The ship sailed along the Hudson River (then often called the North River) between New York and Albany. The average speed of the first flight was about 5 miles (8 km) per hour.

3. The first American chess tournament was held here (1843)

The first modern chess tournament was held in England in 1841, and shortly thereafter chess became an international phenomenon. The first American tournament was held in New York in 1843.

4. First Women's Rights Convention Held at Seneca Falls (1848)

The convention in Seneca Falls was the first women's rights convention. It launched a flurry of other conventions for women's rights that took place in the following years. The meeting discussed the prospect of women having the right to vote and there were discussions about what should be the role of women in society.

5 New York native Belva Lockwood became the first female U.S. Supreme Court attorney (1879)

Belva Lockwood was a supporter of women's suffrage and one of the first women to graduate from law school. She was the first female lawyer to appear before the Supreme Court, and also the first woman to run for president (1884, 1888).

6. Niagara Falls became America's first state park (1885)

Before Niagara Falls became state property, the land was privately owned. And public access to it was limited. Thankfully, that all changed when the Niagara Reservation was named a state park.

7. Toilet paper was invented in New York (1857)

For centuries, the toilets were wiped with what was at hand (everyone had their own life hacks). It wasn't until 1857 that modern, commercially available toilet paper was invented. It happened in New York. Initially, it was sold in sheets with the name of the inventor printed on them.

8. The teddy bear was invented in Brooklyn (1902)

The teddy bear was named after President Theodore Roosevelt. The reason for this was an incident when Roosevelt refused to kill an American black bear, which was caught and tied to a tree. This incident has become a political cartoon. And one New York candy manufacturer was inspired by the idea to create a teddy bear named after Roosevelt - Teddy. Bear cubs immediately became popular. And the toy company founded by the inventor has become a huge success.

9. The first roller coaster in the US was built on Coney Island (1884)

The first roller coaster was a wooden railroad that ran about 6 miles (10 km) per hour and cost 5 cents.

10. The Brooklyn Children's Museum was the world's first museum dedicated to children (1899)

The museum was created in the hope of introducing urban children to the natural sciences. Today children take an active part in planning new exhibits!

11. The first commercial 3D film was shown to an audience at the Astor Theater (1915)

The event was a complex performance using optical illusions and figures projected from behind the scenes.

12. Lombardi's Pizza was the first pizzeria in America (1905)

The business started as a grocery store selling tomato pies wrapped in paper. And it was all, you guessed it, here in New York.

13. The first public brewery was opened in Lower Manhattan (1633)

Peter Minuit's brewery lasted only about five years. But it is said to have been the first public brewery in America. It was located in the lower part of Manhattan.

14. New York became the first state to introduce license plates on cars (1901)

The first license plates were not made by the state, but were made by car owners (usually on leather or iron). They were printed with the initials of the owner and were intended to indicate ownership.