From iconic candies to life-saving tech, Cleveland has shaped the world more than you might think.
Cleveland’s legacy goes way beyond LeBron, rock music, and the river that caught fire.
This city has been a quiet powerhouse of innovation for more than a century, with inventions that have transformed everything from snack time to surgery.
Whether you’re a die-hard Clevelander or just discovering the city’s roots, this list might surprise you.
From comic book heroes to medical marvels and even kitchen staples, here are 25 fascinating things that were invented in Cleveland — proving once again that The Land’s impact stretches way beyond the 216.
RELATED
25 Most Famous People From Cleveland, Ohio
20 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In Cleveland, Ohio
Top 14 Can’t-Miss Spring Festivals in Cleveland (April–May 2025)
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
1. Superman
Source:General
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster in the 1930s while they were students in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
2.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
3. Lifesavers Candy
Source:General
Clarence Crane, a Cleveland candy maker, invented the original peppermint Lifesaver in 1912 to beat the summer heat.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
4.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
5. Electric Traffic Light
Source:General
Garrett Morgan, a Cleveland inventor, patented one of the first electric traffic lights in 1923 — revolutionizing road safety.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
6.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
7. The Modern Golf Ball
Source:General
Coburn Haskell of Cleveland invented the rubber-core golf ball in 1898, changing the game forever.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
8.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
9. Rock and Roll (the Term)
Source:General
Coined by Cleveland DJ Alan Freed in the early 1950s, who also helped launch the first rock concert.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
10.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
11. Windshield Wiper Motor
Source:General
Trico’s automatic wiper motor design came from Cleveland, making rainy-day driving safer for all.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
12.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
13. Gas Mask
Source:General
Also invented by Garrett Morgan, the early gas mask saved lives during industrial accidents and war zones.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
14.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
15. Adhesive Stamp Machines
Source:General
The first machines to dispense and moisten postage stamps were developed in Cleveland in the late 1800s.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
16.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
17. The Electric Streetcar
Source:General
The first U.S. electric streetcar system began operation in Cleveland in 1884, thanks to Charles Brush’s innovations.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
18.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
19. X-Ray Machines for Surgery
Source:General
Dr. George Crile at Cleveland Clinic was among the first to use X-rays during operations in the early 20th century.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
20.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
21. The Shopping Cart Handle Grip
Source:General
A Cleveland engineer patented the ergonomic handle for carts, making your grocery run way more comfortable.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
22.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
23. Reinforced Concrete Construction
Source:General
The first building to use reinforced concrete was Cleveland’s own Ingalls Building, paving the way for skyscrapers.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
24.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
25. Compressed Air Tools
Source:General
Used in factories and garages everywhere, early versions of pneumatic tools were refined in Cleveland’s booming industrial sector.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
26.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
27. The First Electric Arc Lamp
Source:General
Invented by Charles F. Brush in Cleveland in 1879 — a major leap in lighting technology.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
28.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
29. Vacuum Tube Amplifier Tech
Source:General
Developed in part by engineers in Cleveland during early radio broadcasting experiments.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
30.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
31. Cleveland-style Polish Boy Sandwich
Source:General
A culinary invention combining sausage, fries, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce — a flavor bomb born in The Land.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
32.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
33. The First Electric Car (One of Them)
Source:General
The Baker Electric, an early electric vehicle, was manufactured in Cleveland as early as 1899.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
34.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
35. Cardiac Catheterization Advancements
Source:General
Cleveland Clinic pioneered techniques in the 1950s that revolutionized heart surgery worldwide.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
36.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
37. Roller Coasters (Modern Steel Ones)
Source:General
The steel tubular track coaster — like Cedar Point’s — was influenced by engineering work rooted in Cleveland.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
38.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
39. Electric Tattoo Machine Refinement
Source:General
While not the original inventor, Walter Cleveland – who once lived in Columbus, Ohio – helped popularize and tweak the design for modern tattooing. Ok, he’s not from Cleveland – but not that far, either!
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
40.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
41. Cleveland Orchestra Sound Innovations
Source:General
The group helped develop acoustic techniques still used by orchestras globally.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
42.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
43. Popcorn Popper Advances
Source:General
The first electric popcorn machine for movie theaters was created by a Cleveland-based company.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
44.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
45. Traffic Monitoring Systems
Source:General
Modern traffic flow tech traces back to early systems developed in Cleveland’s public works department.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
46.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
47. The Screw-Cap Toothpaste Tube
Source:General
Forget the messy metal tubes — the plastic screw-cap version we all know was first used by a Cleveland company.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
48.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
49. The “Flapper” Toilet Valve
Source:General
A crucial part of modern plumbing, this tiny invention came out of Cleveland in the 1930s.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
50.
25 Surprising Things That Were Invented in Cleveland was originally published on newstalkcleveland.com
