3 of Iowa’s Claims To Fame You May Not Have Known

Nestled right in the heart of the midwest is our lovely state of Iowa, and while most of us can name our state's biggest claims to fame (corn as far as the eye can see, the Hawkeyes, The Field of Dreams, etc) there are a few fun facts about Iowa that you may not have been aware of or that don't come to mind right away. While doing some research on my home state, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the things I found that I didn't know!

Pinterest

I don't know about you, but Pinterest is definitely my favorite place on the internet. I admit I spend far too much time browsing recipes and DIY crafts that I will probably never attempt, but at least it's fun! What I didn't know, however, is that Pinterest started right here in Iowa. That's right! Des Moines native, Ben Silbermann, can be credited for this platform. He thought he landed his dream job when he got hired at Google, but when it turned out that he was essentially just making spreadsheets he decided to turn his attention elsewhere. He left Google and started designing iPhone apps. His first app didn't quite gain traction, but soon enough he got the idea for an online pinboard. And thus Pinterest was born, with Des Moine residents being the first to use it! Thanks, Ben. What would we do without you?

Bonnie and Clyde

In April of 1934 infamous duo, Bonnie and Clyde, pulled off their final bank robbery in none other than the small town of Stuart, IA at The First National Bank. It would only be one month later that they were shot and killed by Police in Louisianna. The bank closed in 1944, but the building still stands tall with a sign letting those who pass by know exactly what their claim to fame is.

Sliced Bread

What's the best thing since sliced bread? Finding out that it originated in your home state! That's right, sliced bread was invented right here in Iowa. In 1927, Otto Rohwedder, of Davenport, designed the first machine that not only sliced bread but also wrapped it. In July of 1928, the first loaf of sliced bread was sold. His original machine can now be found in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Thanks, we owe you one, Otto.

Turns out Iowa really does have more to offer than corn!