I have been reading a book about the Chicago World's Fair (1893) and have been surprised at all the "firsts" that Larson claims debuted there.

~ The first electric chair
~ Edison's Kinetoscope ("first moving pictures")
~ Zipper
~ All-electric kitchen, including the first automatic dishwasher
~ Aunt Jemima's boxed pancake mix
~ Cracker Jack
~ Juicy Fruit gum
~ Shredded Wheat
~ Vertical file (invented by Melvil Dewey and "arguably the most important organizational invention of the century.")

My personal favorite, and the winner of the World's Fair Beer Award:

Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer (Yuk!)