From iconic candies to life-saving tech, Cleveland has shaped the world more than you might think.
Cleveland’s legacy goes way beyond LeBron, rock music, and the river that caught fire.
This city has been a quiet powerhouse of innovation for more than a century, with inventions that have transformed everything from snack time to surgery.
Whether you’re a die-hard Clevelander or just discovering the city’s roots, this list might surprise you.
From comic book heroes to medical marvels and even kitchen staples, here are 25 fascinating things that were invented in Cleveland — proving once again that The Land’s impact stretches way beyond the 216.
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25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on ronenewstalkcleveland.staging.go.ione.nyc
1. Superman
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Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in the 1930s while they were students in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood.
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3. Lifesavers Candy
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Clarence Crane, a Cleveland candy maker, invented the original peppermint Lifesaver in 1912 to beat the summer heat.
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5. Electric Traffic Light
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Garrett Morgan, a Cleveland inventor, patented one of the first electric traffic lights in 1923 — revolutionizing road safety.
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7. The Modern Golf Ball
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Coburn Haskell of Cleveland invented the rubber-core golf ball in 1898, changing the game forever.
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9. Rock and Roll (the Term)
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Coined by Cleveland DJ Alan Freed in the early 1950s, who also helped launch the first rock concert.
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11. Windshield Wiper Motor
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Trico’s automatic wiper motor design came from Cleveland, making rainy-day driving safer for all.
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13. Gas Mask
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Also invented by Garrett Morgan, the early gas mask saved lives during industrial accidents and war zones.
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15. Adhesive Stamp Machines
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The first machines to dispense and moisten postage stamps were developed in Cleveland in the late 1800s.
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17. The Electric Streetcar
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The first U.S. electric streetcar system began operation in Cleveland in 1884, thanks to Charles Brush’s innovations.
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19. X-Ray Machines for Surgery
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Dr. George Crile at Cleveland Clinic was among the first to use X-rays during operations in the early 20th century.
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21. The Shopping Cart Handle Grip
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A Cleveland engineer patented the ergonomic handle for carts, making your grocery run way more comfortable.
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23. Reinforced Concrete Construction
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The first building to use reinforced concrete was Cleveland’s own Ingalls Building, paving the way for skyscrapers.
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25. Compressed Air Tools
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Used in factories and garages everywhere, early versions of pneumatic tools were refined in Cleveland’s booming industrial sector.
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27. The First Electric Arc Lamp
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Invented by Charles F. Brush in Cleveland in 1879 — a major leap in lighting technology.
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29. Vacuum Tube Amplifier Tech
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Developed in part by engineers in Cleveland during early radio broadcasting experiments.
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31. Cleveland-style Polish Boy Sandwich
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A culinary invention combining sausage, fries, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce — a flavor bomb born in The Land.
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33. The First Electric Car (One of Them)
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The Baker Electric, an early electric vehicle, was manufactured in Cleveland as early as 1899.
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35. Cardiac Catheterization Advancements
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Cleveland Clinic pioneered techniques in the 1950s that revolutionized heart surgery worldwide.
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37. Roller Coasters (Modern Steel Ones)
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The steel tubular track coaster — like Cedar Point’s — was influenced by engineering work rooted in Cleveland.
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39. Electric Tattoo Machine Refinement
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While not the original inventor, Walter Cleveland – who once lived in Columbus, Ohio – helped popularize and tweak the design for modern tattooing. Ok, he’s not from Cleveland – but not that far, either!
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41. Cleveland Orchestra Sound Innovations
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The group helped develop acoustic techniques still used by orchestras globally.
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43. Popcorn Popper Advances
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The first electric popcorn machine for movie theaters was created by a Cleveland-based company.
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45. Traffic Monitoring Systems
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Modern traffic flow tech traces back to early systems developed in Cleveland’s public works department.
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47. The Screw-Cap Toothpaste Tube
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Forget the messy metal tubes — the plastic screw-cap version we all know was first used by a Cleveland company.
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49. The “Flapper” Toilet Valve
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A crucial part of modern plumbing, this tiny invention came out of Cleveland in the 1930s.