Take A Look At These Cool Things That Got Started In Illinois

Sure, lots of states take their lumps in the court of public opinion, and maybe it's just because we live here, but Illinois seems to take a few more shots than most any other state.

In spite of Illinois' many shortcomings (although we have a substantial lead over every other state in the amount of politicians, especially governors, who wind up in prison), there are quite a few things that Illinois has produced that nobody wants to live without.

From Cell Phones To Television Remote To Brownies, Illinois Has Made Life Better

I could live without one of the things mentioned above...and it's brownies. They're fine, but of all Illinois' contributions to our lives and lifestyles, brownies being taken from me would draw the fewest complaints.

But giving up the TV remote? Talk about "from my cold, dead fingers!"

According to EnjoyIllinois.com, "Every time you change the channel from the comfort of your couch, you can thank an Illinoisan. It was in Chicago that Zenith Radio Corporation developed the world’s first television remote control."

So, Without Illinois, There Would Be No TV Remotes Or Cell Phones---What Else?

Let's get to some more Illinois-originated things that we can't live without (in no particular order):

The zipper: Chicago’s Whitcomb Judson was the inventor, though his early design, the “clasp-locker,” was a little different than today's zippers. (EnjoyIllinois)

The Dishwasher: Josephine Cochrane's invention, patented in 1886, consisted of wire compartments for each different piece of dinnerware, inside a wheel lying flat in a copper boiler. As the wheel turned, hot soapy water sprayed up and down onto the dishes from the bottom of the boiler. (EnjoyIllinois)

Red Solo Cups: The Solo Cup company opened on Chicago’s South Side in the 1930s, manufacturing cone-shaped paper cups. It developed its signature product in the 70s in Highland Park.

Pinball Machines: According to HuffPost.com, Pinball enthusiasts can thank Steve Kordeck for his innovations to the pinball machine in 1948, which made them less expensive to produce and gave players more control. Kordeck revolutionized pinball by inventing the two flippers that were controlled by buttons on both sides of the machine.

Barbed Wire: Dekalb's Joseph Glidden is the guy who brought a new idea to the making of barbed wire, with the barbs held in place by one wire being twisted around another. At the time he died in 1906, Glidden was one of America's richest men.

You can check out more things that Illinois has gifted the world by clicking here.