From the extraordinary to the commonplace, many innovations recognized around the world had their genesis in Cleveland. Here are just a few of the inventions created by Clevelanders:
U.S. college to admit students regardless of race, sex, creed or color (Oberlin College) – 1834
U.S. newspaper for African Americans (The Aliened American) – William Howard Day – 1853
Free home delivery of mail and first mailman’s uniform – Joseph Briggs – 1862
Electric streetlight and electric streetcar – Charles F. Brush – 1879
Indoor shopping center (The Arcade) – 1890
LifeSavers candy – Clarence Crane – 1891
Padded bicycle seat – Arthur Lovett Garford – 1892
Whole-body scanner and x-ray machine – Dayton C. Miller (Case School of Applied Science) – 1896
Modern golfball – Cobuern Haskell, Joseph Mitchell, Bertram Work – 1899
American League – charter member baseball team (Cleveland Indians) – 1901
Ongoing forum for free speech (The City Club of Cleveland) – 1912
American-made standard gasoline automobile – 1898 and American Diesel engine – 1913 – Alexander Winton
African American Cultural Center (Karamu House) – 1915
Gas mask – Garret A. Morgan – 1916
Automatic windshield wiper – Fred & William H. Folberth – 1921
Air-traffic control tower – 1927
Superman comic – Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster – 1933
The phrase “Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Alan Freed – 1952
Rock and Roll concert (Moondog Coronation Ball) – 1952
African-American mayor of a major city (Carl Stokes) – 1967
Rapid transit rail service from airport to downtown – Greater Cleveland Rapid Transit Authority – 1968
NFL “Monday Night Football” game (Cleveland Municipal Stadium with the Cleveland Browns defeating the New York Jets, 31-20) – 1970
The first city to be awarded five All-American City Awards (1949, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1994)