Anyone who even visits Denver, let alone is lucky enough to live here, is aware that Colorado is an interesting and innovative place to be. Denver is the home of MapQuest, Quark, and Lockheed Martin, among countless other high-tech, cutting-edge corporations. There is no doubt to anyone fortunate enough to live in or near the Denver metro that we are a hub for creativity. With this in mind, we only have to look at the Mile High City’s history to learn that this vibrancy is not new. Denver citizens have been inventors for ages.
The Birthplace of the Teddy Bear
As early as 1905, Denver made its mark on the world by being the birthplace of the ubiquitous Teddy Bear. Oral history has it that maids working at the Hotel Colorado presented President Theodore Roosevelt a bear made from scraps of cloth as he was passing through on a hunting trip. The bear, from then on, was dubbed “Teddy Bear” to reflect on the original owner, Teddy Roosevelt. Another gem from our collective childhood is Jolly Rancher candies. Bill and Dorothy Harmsen ran their hard candy store out of Wheat Ridge, a Denver suburb, for years. They did eventually sell the brand to The Hershey Company, but we Denver-ites haven’t forgotten our mark on sweetness.
Mile High Yummy
Denver citizens know great food. The Mile High City has contributed both the root beer float and the cheeseburger to the American palette. Frank Wisner, while noticing that the snow atop Cow Mountain looked like a dollop of vanilla ice cream floating on top of root beer, was inspired to return to his kitchen to run a taste test. What he found was deliciousness for us all. If you happen to be driving down Speer Boulevard, be sure to check out the monument to cheeseburger creator, Louis Ballast. He trademarked the famous cheeseburger in 1935, and our stomachs are so glad he did!
That’s Genius!
Root beer isn’t the only beer Denver is known for. With the large number of breweries, a faster, easier bottle opener was in order. The GrOpener was created by Mark Manger. This photographer-turned-inventor made a one-hand bottle opener, for those who have a beer in the other hand! If you have had a few too many, dropping your cell phone can be a concern. This is why Denver is also the home of OtterBox. Never has one item better encapsulated Denver’s love of the outdoors and technology than in the creation of the waterproof OtterBox. The Fort Collins-based corporation creates many phone cases to protect our technology while we hike in the glorious mountains. This is truly a wonderful place to be.
Innovation for All
Here in Colorado, we aren’t just into eating. Our lives, like our plates, are robust and varied. Crocs, manufactured in Niwot, Colorado, are a fashion-questioning footwear which are ideal for rafting and gardening, providing a comfortable way to enjoy the Denver scenery. Continuing the desire for comfort, Kevin Maher, created Gyrostim. Gyrostim is a multi-axis rotating chair, originally created for his daughter who has a brain injury. Rolling around in different ways has been proven to reconnect neuropathways in patients who have traumatic brain injuries. Maher’s chair makes this process easier, faster, and more comfortable. Whether born of necessity or desire, the clean air and amazing views are surely fertile soil to creativity, and thus the Mile High City is not only a great place to live but a great place to create and make your mark on history.
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