Texas Invented What?! Here’s a List of Lone Star Inventions!

Sure, Texas gave the world brisket, GOOD high school football, and the phrase "Y’all." But it turns out we’ve also been quietly cranking out world-changing inventions while wearing a Stetson and deep-frying everything in sight. Here are some of the coolest, weirdest, and most delicious things invented right here in the Lone Star State!

The Microchip

• Invented in Dallas in 1958 by Jack Kilby at Texas Instruments.

• Basically the tiny brain that powers your phone, laptop, smart fridge, and possibly your electric toothbrush.

• You can thank a Texan for every embarrassing group chat typo you've ever made.

The Handheld Calculator

• Also created by Texas Instruments, because apparently they were on a roll.

• Made doing math way easier so we could spend more time focusing on important things.

The ATM

• First installed in Dallas in the 1970s.

• Because nothing says “efficiency” like grabbing some quick cash to pay the taco truck.

• Not sure if it dispensed beer at the time, but if it didn’t, it probably should have.

Dr Pepper

• Born in Waco in 1885.

• Older than Coca-Cola and still the reigning champion of sodas as far as THIS Texan is concerned!

• Texans will throw down over their love of Dr Pepper, and honestly, I get it.

Fritos

• Invented in San Antonio in 1932.

• The original corn chip that became the base for Frito Pie, which is basically a rite of passage in Texas.

• Bonus points if you’ve eaten 'walking tacos' where they toss all the ingredients from a taco into a bag of these babies!

The Frozen Margarita Machine

• Invented by Mariano Martinez in Dallas in 1971.

• Read the full story in this article I wrote

• He basically duct-taped a soft-serve ice cream machine and some tequila together, and the rest is happy hour history.

• Bless this man. Truly.

Honorable Mentions:

• Liquid Paper – Invented by a Texas secretary who was probably just trying to survive the typewriter era. Interesting fact: The inventor's son is Mike Nesmith from The Monkees!

• Dell Computers – Launched by a UT Austin student in his dorm room.

• Shiner Bock – Brewed in Shiner, TX. Not an invention per se, but it is a state treasure!

So next time someone tells you Texas is just cowboys and barbecue, hit them with the truth: We invented the tech in their pocket, the soda in their hand, and the frozen margarita in their cup.

You’re welcome, world.