There are lots of things Boston did first, from technological developments to medical breakthroughs. In fact, it might be quicker to list occasions when Boston wasn’t leading the pack! Given the all the inventions from Boston coupled with the city’s long list of accomplishments, you may have overlooked or forgotten about a few. Here’s a refresher:

Let’s start with Boston’s most critical achievements…

1. Boston was the first city in the country to have a chocolate factory. (When it comes to things Boston did first, this has got to be the sweetest!)
Facebook/Baker Chocolate Factory Apartments
We have our priorities. The Baker Chocolate Factory was located in the Lower Mills part of Dorchester, on the Neponset River. It’s since been converted into condos, where you can bet the residents have sweet dreams.
2. In 1950, the first Dunkin’ Donuts shop was established in Quincy.
Flickr/Meaghan O'Malley
And so the Dunks addiction began…
3. When it comes to amenities, if it’s public and awesome, Boston was probably the first to have it. Case in point, Revere Beach is "America’s First Public Beach."
Bill Llott/Flickr
4. Boston Common is the first public park in the U.S. – it was established in 1634.
Flickr/Marco Verch
You can only appreciate the effect of the shadows from above!
5. Oh, and the Public Garden is the first botanic garden in the nation.
Flickr/Leslee_atFlickr
It actually sits on reclaimed marshland.
6. The first subway in the nation opened in Boston in 1897.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
On its first day in use 100,000 people tried it out. Even new amusement park rides can’t compete with that level of enthusiasm!
7. Boston is where the first lighthouse in the U.S. was constructed. It was built on Little Brewster Island, one of the Boston Harbor Islands, in 1716.
Flickr/C Hanchey
While this remains the oldest continuously used lighthouse site, the British damaged the original building at the end of the Revolutionary War. The lighthouse you can see today dates back to 1783.
8. Mount Auburn is the country’s first rural cemetery.
Bill Llott/Flickr
It’s definitely not in a pastoral location anymore; the city has expanded a lot since the cemetery opened in 1831.
9. Harvard, established in 1636, was the first college in the U.S.
Flickr/Niklas Tenhaef
It was named after John Harvard, a clergyman from Charlestown, who bequeathed his library and half of his estate to the college.
10. The first successful telephone call was made in Boston on March 10, 1876.
Wikimedia Commons/Moffett Studio, Library and Archives Canada
Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson were in different rooms within their Boston lab when Bell spoke into his invention, saying: "Watson, come here. I want to see you." The sound carried successfully, even though the quality wasn’t great. Interestingly, Bell’s mother was deaf and that’s what spurred him to begin experimenting with sound.
11. Ether, a powerful anesthetic, was first demonstrated in Boston. Before this, the substance was best known as a recreational drug.
massgeneral.org
However, that all changed in 1846, when people congregated at Mass General to watch dentist William Morton use ether to render a patient unconscious prior to a surgery to remove a tumor from the patient’s neck. This development revolutionized the surgical field, making it one of the most important of all Boston firsts. You can still visit the Ether Dome today.
12. The first disposable razor was manufactured in Boston. (We’ll take credit for the smooth shave, but any nicks are on you!)
Flickr/Stefan Ray
King Camp Gillette was an impoverished traveling salesman with a knack for inventions. An employer suggested he invent something that could only be used for a limited time, to ensure repeat customers. Gillette decided to create a razor with a removable, double-edged blade. Thus, the Gillette razor was born.
13. The first Polaroid camera was sold in Boston.
Flickr/David Marvin
Edwin Land, a chemist and physicist who focused on light polarization, established Land-Wheelright Laboratories in Cambridge. While he got the idea for an instant camera in Santa Fe and gave the first public demonstration of his technology in New York, his company – renamed the Polaroid Corporation – was here. The Land camera retailed for $89.95 in 1948 (the equivalent of about $910 today) and was carried by Boston department store, Jordan Marsh.

Thanks to the presence of MIT and Harvard, as well as many other centers of brilliant minds, there is no end to the pioneering developments that continually happen in Boston. How many of these Boston firsts did you already know about? Know of any other incredible things Boston did first? Did we miss any iconic inventions from Boston? Let us know!

Love Boston history? If so you’ll definitely want to check out these historic photos of Boston, which showcase the Boston of yesteryear.

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Things Boston Did First

Daniella DiRienzo | June 08, 2023

What are some fun facts about Boston?

With so much history, there are lots of fun facts about Boston, including:

  • Nicknames: Boston has a couple of nicknames. For starters, it’s often referred to as the “Cradle of Liberty," thanks to the significant role it played during the American Revolution. It is also called “Beantown,” which is an homage to the city’s famed baked beans.
  • Boston Tea Party: In 1773, the Boston Tea Party took place in Boston Harbor. During the infamous tea party, colonists boarded British ships and dumped tea into the water to protest against British taxation.
  • Freedom Trail: Extending just over two miles, the Freedom Trail in Boston passes through more than one dozen historical sites, including the Massachusetts State House, Paul Revere's House, and the Old North Church.

 

Where can I soak up some Boston history?

In a city teeming with historical sites and significant places, it’s not hard to get a taste of the past in Boston. Here are a few places to enjoy Boston's history.

  • Boston Tea Party Museum: Fun for all ages, this interactive museum offers a unique way to learn about the Boston Tea Party. You can board replica tea ships, throw "tea" overboard, and participate in interactive exhibits that bring this historic event to life.
  • Boston National Historical Park: A must-visit for history buffs, this park is home to several important historical sites, including the Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown Navy Yard, and the Old State House.
  • Paul Revere's House: The former home of the famous American patriot, Paul Revere's House is now a museum that provides insights into his life and the events leading up to the American Revolution.

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