10 Famous Designs You Didn’t Know Were From Chicago
Chicago isn’t just the birthplace of deep-dish pizza and jazz clubs, it’s also home to some of the most groundbreaking innovations in history. From everyday conveniences to game-changing inventions, here are 10 famous designs born in Chicago.
1. Mail-Order Catalog Shopping – Aaron Montgomery Ward (1872)
Before Amazon, there was Montgomery Ward. This was the first mail-order catalog for the masses that let customers shop from home and have goods shipped to their door (no matter where they lived). Selling everything from kitchen supplies to entire houses, they were the blueprint for modern e-commerce.
2. The Skyscraper – William LeBaron Jenney (1885)
Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper. To maximize space, architects built upward instead of outward. This transformed urban architecture and set the stage for skylines worldwide. Today, Chicago is home to over 130 skyscrapers, proving its legacy in high-rise design.
3. The Ferris Wheel – George W.G. Ferris (1893)
When Chicago hosted the World’s Columbian Exposition, it introduced the world to the first Ferris wheel. It stood 264 feet tall and held over 2,000 passengers at a time. This marvel captivated visitors in the late 19th century, just as the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel does today.
4. The Mineralite Bowling Ball – Brunswick Corporation (1906)
Bowling used to be played with wooden balls until Brunswick introduced the Mineralite rubber bowling ball, which was more durable. It changed the sport forever and made the game more consistent. Beyond Design is familiar with Brunswick’s innovation because we designed the Brunswick Crown V Pool Table!
5. Lincoln Logs – Red Square Toy Company (1917)
Invented by John Lloyd Wright, son of the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, Lincoln Logs sparked creativity in young minds and introduced many kids to architectural design. The toy was named after Abraham Lincoln and was originally made from real redwood.
6. The Bicycle Balloon Tire – The Schwinn Bicycle Company (1933)
Those old-timey bicycles with giant front wheels are dangerous, but luckily, you don’t have to ride them. You can thank Chicago’s Schwinn Bicycle Company. Having wider and lower-pressure tires created a safer cycling experience with better traction and more shock absorption. Schwinn made cycling more balanced, comfortable, and practical.
7. The Weber Kettle Grill – Weber-Stephen Products Company (1952)
Before the Weber Kettle Grill, backyard barbecues were messy, brick-built affairs. This game-changing design added mobile legs and a lid to prevent flare-ups and wind interference while improving airflow with air holes for better grilling. Now, it’s a staple of American cookouts.
8. The Space Command Remote Control – Zenith Electronics Corporation (1956)
Tired of getting up to change the channel? Zenith Electronics was, too. So they introduced the first-ever TV remote control and revolutionized home entertainment. This innovation paved the way for remote controls in countless other devices, forever changing how we interact with technology.
9. The Envoid Birth Control Pill – G.D. Searle (1957)
The Enovid pill was the first FDA-approved oral contraceptive. It was developed in Skokie by G.D. Searle & Co. and funded by Katherine McCormick. It revolutionized reproductive health and marked a milestone in women’s rights and medicine. Its innovative blister pack design featured color-coded sections for easier organization and use.
10. DynaTAC Cell Phone – Motorola (1983)
Long before smartphones, the world’s first commercial mobile phone was the Chicago-born DynaTAC 8000X. The 10-inch electronic “brick phone” weighed nearly 2.5 pounds and had a battery life of only 30 minutes. Despite its size, it revolutionized communication by making phones portable and personal.
Chicago Goes Beyond
From revolutionizing entertainment to reshaping city skylines and even altering the course of history, Chicago has been at the forefront of innovation for over a century. People here dream big and think beyond expectations to develop products and innovations that change the world.
If you want to develop a famous product design, contact info@startbeyond.com. We can help you make it happen.
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