Tracing the Birthplaces of Colorado’s Most Famous Inventions

Colorado is the land of invention. From black cows to cheeseburgers, we're no strangers to being the first ones at the table with a great idea. Sometimes we are the first ones in the arena with a great idea, and other times we're the best at making spirits bright.

Read More: These 6 Infamous Criminals from Colorado Are Terrifying

Did you know one of America's favorite outdoor decorations got started in Colorado? Keep reading for a look at nine popular inventions that got started right here in the Centennial State.

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Colorado Inventors

Colorado is the original home of the Western Snap. This shirt was designed by Jack A. Weil to allow cowboys to break free when their shirts became snagged on fence posts and other obstacles. Since most of my shirts look like this, I'd say Weil is the Colorado inventor who has influenced my closet the most.

Friendly Disputes and Duplicates

Cities such as Pasadena, California, and Lousiville, Kentucky both claim to have invented the cheeseburger, but everyone in Colorado knows that the cheeseburger got started in Denver. Louis Ballast owned the Humpty Dumpty Barrel Drive-In and filed the first trademark for a cheeseburger in March of 1935.

Read More: See Where the Cheeseburger was Invented in Colorado

The Colorado Invention That Has Helped Me Most

I don't get to spend much time in Fort Collins, but when I do I give thanks for local inventor Curt Richardson's "Otterbox" phone case which has saved me about 100 phones during my adult life (so far).