Texas Historic ‘Firsts’ That Changed The Nation!

I have been traveling recently, and like most of us, I visited all the local historic sites. One site that stood out to me the most was our country's first-ever established art school. It was amazing to see a first for our great nation. Then it got me wondering, what are some of Texas' firsts?

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FIRST MARGARITA MACHINE

Mariano Martinez got the amazing idea from a slushy machine in 7-11. He invented the first Margarita machine in Dallas in 1971. Thank goodness he did, because what else am I supposed to wash my tacos down with?

FIRST WOMAN IN TEXAS SENATE

Margie Neal is such a pioneer for women.  She became the first woman elected into the Texas Senate in 1926 and, served as the only woman until 1946.

FIRST SIP OF DR PEPPER

The sweet nectar of the Gods, better known as Dr Pepper, was created in Waco by Charles Alderton. He invented it in 1885, the drink was originally known as a Waco.

FIRST ARTIFICIAL HEART TRANSPLANT

Dr. Denton A. Cooley performed the first successful artificial heart transplant in Houston. He performed it at the Heart Institute of Houston in 1969.

FIRST 7-11 STORE

The first 7-11 convenience store was opened in Dallas in 1927 as a local ice store. It was originally called Southland Ice Company.

FIRST WHOLE FOODS

The first Whole Foods store started as a merger between SaferWay Natural Foods and Clarksville Natural Grocery. The merger happened in 1980 in Austin.

I don't know where I would be, without ever having a frozen margarita on a hot summer day or an ice-cold Dr Pepper no matter the season. One thing I do know is this list gave me a bigger Texas ego than I already had.