These Famous Inventions All Came from Quincy, Illinois

Quincy may be known as the Gem City, but it’s also home to some remarkable inventions, and even a soft drink you probably enjoy every single day.

For years, Quincy was a place where riverboats glided along the Mississippi River, and in the 1870s, it even became the second-largest city in Illinois, surpassing Peoria. But beyond its size and location, Quincy has also been the birthplace of some major engineering triumphs.

Quincy’s Role in Early Engineering Breakthroughs

In the 1860s, Robert Gardner invented a governor that prevented steam engines from exploding, an important invention at the time. His invention led to the creation of what we now know as the Gardner Denver Company.

How the Car Radio Was Born in Quincy

Did you know the car radio was also invented in Quincy? When you turn the key or push a button and your radio comes to life, you can thank Elmer Wavering. He was a key figure in developing not only the car radio but also the alternator, making him a true pioneer in modern automotive electronics.

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Mountain Dew’s Surprising Quincy Origins

But perhaps the most surprising invention is something you probably drink every day without realizing it originated in Quincy, Mountain Dew. The popular soft drink was co-created by Quincy natives Barney and Ally Hartman. Originally intended as a mixer for whiskey, it eventually grew into one of the most popular soft drinks in the country.

You see names all around Quincy, such as Wavering, Gardner, and Hartman, and wonder who these people were and what they did to have a park or building named after them. Quincy’s history stretches back over 200 years, and even after living here for more than two decades, I still find myself learning new things about the city’s rich past. It makes me proud to call Quincy home.