There are many reasons why I am proud to be from Pittsburgh and its surrounding suburbs.
Inventions from Pittsburgh include the polio vaccine, the first radio broadcast from KDKA in 1920, the first Ferris wheel, the first movie theater, the first baseball stadium (Forbes Field), the Big Mac (on McKnight Road in Ross Township) and the banana split (in Latrobe).
Fred Rogers and Arnold Palmer were born here, and Rolling Rock beer was made with its waters. The companies that made Heinz ketchup and the Clark Bar were created in the heart of Pittsburgh, with its 446 bridges, the most of any city in the world.
George Westinghouse invented the first water-pressurized nuclear power plant and nuclear submarine in Pittsburgh, and the first washing machine was invented here.
Other famous people born in Pittsburgh include dancer Gene Kelly, actors Jeff Goldblum and Julie Benz, and sports stars Joe Montana, Dan Marino and Johnny Unitas.
The next time someone asks us where we are from, we can all say with pride, I am from the great city of Pittsburgh!
James Illinsky
Springdale