20 Things Minnesotans Should Brag About (But Don’t Because It’s Not Nice)
A couple of years ago Buzzfeed published a list of things that Minnesota is famous for. Here are the top-20 things from that list -- and frankly I think we need to throw the ol' 'Minnesota Nice' out the window and do some good old fashioned bragging.
- The Shopping Mall: Southdale in Edina was the country's first. And now, the Mall of America. You're welcome world.
- Scotch Tape: 3M in St. Paul invented. Yes, invented by Minnesotans.
- Post-It Notes: See #2.
- The Miracle On Ice: A bunch of Minnesota kids (+ a few others) playing for Herb Brooks, their Minnesota coach.
- Betty Crocker: No, she's not a real person, but she was born here -- created 1921 by home economist (and Minnesotan) Marjorie Husted.
- The pacemaker: Invented in 1957 by Medtronic founder (and Minnesotan) Earl Bakken in his garage.
- Target: The first store opened in Roseville in 1962. (Sorry about the data breach.)
- The Juicy Lucy: Cheese inside the burger? Born in Minneapolis.
- The Mayo Clinic: One of the best in the world. (They can fix you after too many Juicy Lucy's.)
- Honeycrisp Apples: Invented at the University of Minnesota.
- Tonka Trucks: Invented and continue to be made in Minnetonka.
- Jessica Biel: Born in Ely in 1982.
- The Mississippi River: The mighty Mississippi is born at Lake Itasca in Minnesota.
- Duck Duck Gray Duck: Far more advanced than Duck Duck Goose.
- Red Wing Boots: Been making 'em in Minnesota since 1905.
- The Coen Brothers: Grew up in St. Louis Park and made movies like Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and The Big Lebowski.
- Best Buy: Minnesota born in 1983. What would Black Friday be without it?
- Lucky Charms: Thanks General Mills (and yes, they are magically delicious).
- Funfetti: Didn't want to leave Pillsbury out. Born in Minneapolis in 1872, and makers of this awesome cake mix.
- Hockey Hair: What? It's NOT a mullet. It's hockey hair!
- Winningest Coach In College Football History: 489 wins for retired Saint John's head coach John Gagliardi.
- The Toaster: The first pop-up toaster was invented in 1926 by the McGraw Electric Company -- calling it the Toastmaster.
- Amy Adams: Got her acting start at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater.
- The snowblower: Invented by Bloomington based Toro in 1961.
Honorable mention goes to Buffalo Wild Wings, the oxygen mask, Judy Garland, Zubaz, masking tape, Green Giant, Garrison Keilor & A Prairie Home Companion, roller blades, the stapler, Bob Dylan, automatic retractable seat belt, Malt-O-Meal, water skis, F. Scott Fitzgerald, bundt cakes, Schwan's, the snowmobile, Wheaties, the Sleep Number bed, Tater Tot Hotdish, and Prince.
You betcha!