Akron, Ohio, located in the northeast corner of the state, and is home to many fun facts that most residents are unaware of. Besides the fact that it’s the 5th largest city in the state, or that the k-12 system was first started here – Akron holds some pretty cool facts.
Number one on the list: the ice-cream cone! That’s right, we can thank Akron and Charles E. Menches for the ever so popular ice-cream cone. Before the ice cream cone was invented ice cream was served in a glass dish, licked out by the customer, and then the dish would be returned for cleaning. In 1904 Charles brought happiness to Ohio and the rest of the United States for many years to come – the ice cream cone is now very popular to this day! Menches is also noted for inventing candy coated popcorn, and the first hamburger.
Next, Akron became the birthplace for Quaker Oatmeal in 1877. It started out as a cereal at the German Mills American Cereal Company in Akron. In 1922, Quaker, formally the cereal company introduced the Quaker Quick Oats. Quaker Square is now offices and retail located in Akron.
Not only is Akron the birthplace for many food items such as the ice cream cone and the Quaker oats it is also the birthplace of Lebron James. Born on December 30, 1984, Lebron was recruited by St. Vincent-St Mary High School. In 2003 Lebron was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lebron still reminds the people of Akron how appreciated he is of the man the city shaped him to be.
Not many people know that the first motorized patrol car was invented in 1899 in Akron. It was an electric powered wagon that was equipped with electrical lights, gongs, and a stretcher. The first job of the wagon was to pick up an intoxicated man in the city of Akron. In 1900 the wagon was pushed into the Ohio Canal by an angry mob but was rescued the following day. In 1909 Detroit began to construct modern police cars.
Another fact, Akron is home to the beginning of alcoholics anonymous. When a stockbroker, Bill W and an Akron surgeon, Dr. Bob S met they formed a group known today as alcoholics anonymous. Because both of the men felt comfortable talking with each other because they both were struggling with the same problem, they eventually worked on their drinking problem together. Because of these men in 1950, 100,000 recovered alcoholics could be found across the world. Had it not had been for the friendship between these two men in Akron, Ohio this recovery project would not be in effect today.
