Ten Things That Were Invented Or Created In Maine

Call in Yankee ingenuity, Mainers are known for being a no-nonsense breed that just get things done. That might explain how these ten things were invented or created in Maine.

1. The first transatlantic television signal. Telstar was launched by NASA on July 10, 1962, from Cape Canaveral, Fla., and was the first privately sponsored space-faring mission. Two days later, it relayed the world's first transatlantic television signal, from Andover Earth Station, Maine, to the Pleumeur-Bodou Telecom Center, Brittany, France.

2. The zig-zag stitch. Born in Portland, Helen Augusta Blanchard patented several inventions relating to sewing machines in 1873 and 1875, including the method allowing for the zig-zag stitch. She also filed patents for the invention of the pencil sharpener and hat sewing machine. While most of her inventing happened outside of Maine, she did return to the state later in life.

3. Blueberries.  Maine produces more than 95% of the USA's supply comes from Maine.

4. The snowmobile (sort of). While over-snow travel was something that many people tried to perfect, one of the first versions was created by OC Johnson, who came out of Waterville. A few years after his creation, someone else actually gave it the "snowmobile" name. Maine's history with the machine goes further with Polaris using many areas in the hilly areas in Northern Maine as testing grounds. So, we can proudly say that many of the advancements in snow travel happened as a result of Maine!

5. Poetry, or more specifically, Longfellow. Poet and educator, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, was born in Portland where his home can still be toured today.

6. Toothpicks. Until 2003, Maine was responsible for 90% of USA toothpicks. They're now primarily made overseas.

7. The original patent for the sealed dive-suit. In 1834, Maine inventor Leonard Norcross patented what is widely accepted as the first practical, sealed dive suit.

8. Sustainable mussels.Okay, so Maine may not have invented the mussel, but did you know that an Outside Magazine writer recently named Bangs Island Mussels as their pick for the most sustainable way to enjoy fish?

9. The maxim gun. The world's first portable, fully automatic macine gun was invented by Sir Hiram Stevens in 1884. Stevens was a Maine native who lived in the state until his 40s. He also held patents on devices such as the mousetrap, hair-curling irons, and steam pumps.

Did we leave anything off the list? Let us know in the comments!