The state of Mississippi is responsible for many our nation’s firsts, from the first female rural mail carrier in 1914 to the first human lung transplant in 1963. It was also the first place where shoes were sold in pairs (originally they were sold individually). Many famous people and products have come out of the Magnolia State. Visitors who travel to the great state of Mississippi can learn more about some of these extraordinary inventions and famous Mississippians at various museums and historical sites. In the meantime, read about them here with DAS Demo.

One of the most famous inventions that can be traced back to Mississippi is the teddy bear. President Theodore Roosevelt (called Teddy) was hunting in Sharkey County, Mississippi in 1902, when he refused to shoot a captured bear. This famous act inspired the creation of the very first teddy bear, which has since become a beloved toy to millions across the globe.

If you enjoy a good root beer float, you have a Mississippian to thank, at least for the liquid portion of this timeless treat. Edward Adolf Barq, Sr. of Biloxi invented this fizzy drink in 1898.

Liberty, Mississippi, is the home of many firsts, including the production of the first bottle of Dr. Tichener’s Antiseptic and the canning of the first Borden’s Condensed Milk. Pine Sol was invented by a Jackson man (Harry A. Cole, Sr.) in 1929. Another life-changing product to come out of The Magnolia State is rayon. The first fibers of this first synthetic material was developed in Hazelhurst by Dr. Emmette F. Izard.

Yet another popular product invented by a Mississippi native is the soft toilet seat. It is patented by Columbus’ David Harrison, and more than one million units are sold every year.

Although he was born in New Jersey, John B. Stetson, the famous hat maker, spent some tie at Dunn’s Falls, near Meridian. This is where he learned and practiced his craft.

Mississippi is also credited for the origination of the game of stickball, the nation’s oldest game. It was played by the state’s Choctaw Indian tribe, who still put on demonstrations each summer at a fair in Philadelphia.

When it comes to famous people, Mississippi can boast some of the biggest stars our nation has ever seen. Case in point? Elvis Presley, the late, great King of Rock and Roll, was born in January 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Several famous sports stars were also born here. Tupelo’s Guy Bush pitched to baseball great Babe Ruth during the 1929 World Series, playing for the Chicago Cubs. S.B. "Sam" Vick of Oakland also has a tie to The Babe, as the only man to ever pinch hit for him. During his career, he played for both the Red Sox and the Yankees. Some football legends were also born in The Magnolia State, including Jerry Rice (Starkville), Brett Farve (Kiln), and Walter Payton (Columbia).

The list of famous Mississippians goes on and on, including performers, writers, artists, public officials and more. Famed talk-show host Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko and entertainer James Earl Jones comes from Arkabutia. Many country music stars originated in this southern state, including Faith Hill (Jackson), LeAnn Rimes (Jackson), Conway Twitty (Friars Point), Charley Pride (Sledge), and Tammy Wynette (Tupelo). Other well-known Mississippians include Muddy Waters (Rolling Fork), Tennessee Williams (Columbus), Jimmy Buffett (Pascagoula), Bo Diddley (McCombs), William Faulkner (New Albany), and B.B. King (Itta Bena).