WHM - Worcester Facts & Firsts

Worcester Facts & Firsts

Did you know that there were three attempted settlements of Worcester?

#1- Worcester was first settled under the Indian name of Quinsigamond in 1673. At the start of King Philip's War, the settlement was abandoned.

#2- It was at the second attempted settlement that the name "Worcester" meaning "war-castle" was adopted. This settlement was also abandoned in 1701.

#3- The third and permanent settlement dates from 1713. Worcester was incorporated a town in 1722 and a city in 1848.

Did you know about these famous firsts?

- The Declaration of Independence was first publicly read in Massachusetts by Isaiah Thomas in Worcester in July 1776.

- The monkey wrench was invented by Loring Coes of the Coes Knife Company in 1840.

- Worcester resident Charles Thurber patented the first modern-day typewriter in 1843.

- The first national convention of women advocating women's suffrage was held in Worcester on October 23 and 24, 1850.

- Elm Park became the first public park in the country when land was deeded to the city of Worcester in 1854.

- Worcester resident Joshua Stoddard invented the steam calliope in 1855.

- J. Lee Richmond of the Worcesters pitched the first perfect game in major league baseball history on June 12, 1880.

- Worcester resident Henry Perky became the first to mass produce shredded wheat in 1895.

- Albert A. Michelson, chairman of Clark University's Physics Department, named America's first Nobel Prize Winner in 1902.

- Dr. Robert H. Goddard of Clark University patented the first liquid fuel rocket in 1914.

- Harvey Ball designed the world famous Smiley face in 1963.

To learn more about these facts and firsts talk to a librarian!