A Brief Minnesota History: 50 of Our Greatest Hits

Environmental and Science Education
Edward Hessler



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Twin Cities Business recently compiled a short history of innovation "firsts" for the state of Minnesota.  Between 1879 and 2007 more things happened than Scotch Tape, SPAM, a wearable pacemaker and, are you ready?--the Bundt baking pan.

Here, are the "50 Fantastic Firsts," chosen by TCB editors from more than 100 inventions/innovations.

I could not help noticing how "STEM-ey" they are.  However, these firsts/inventions (the root of invention means to come upon) are more than just STEM, though. While they involve scientific and engineering practices (= inquiry in earlier science and engineering education jargon) and problem solving they include and depend upon risk-takers and entrepreneurs all of them wanting not only to make some money but also help.

In these pages are to be found more careers than one can shake the proverbial stick at.  And a number of the inventions/innovations, perhaps all of them, include implications that were not considered at the time or were unforeseen. Some good; some nood (not good).