4 Jul: Here Comes The Hamburger
Who invented the hamburger? It’s almost impossible to know, given that mincemeat has been consumed all around the world, and for centuries – but Oscar Bilby, of Tulsa, Oklahoma is a strong contender.
On 4th July, 1891, he grilled a beef patty, and – for the first time in documented history – PUT IT IN A BUN. And a Fourth of July tradition was born.
In this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly trace the origins of the American burger back to 19th century sailors in New York; consider the claim to fame of rival ‘Hamburger Charlie’ (Charlie Nagreen of Seymour, Wisconsin); and recall the short-lived attempt by the American War effort to rid the hamburger of its German heritage…
Further Reading:
• ‘Where Hamburgers Began—and How They Became an Iconic American Food’ (HISTORY, 2014): https://www.history.com/news/hamburger-helpers-the-history-of-americas-favorite-sandwich
• ‘History of Hamburgers’ (What’s Cooking America): https://whatscookingamerica.net/history/hamburgerhistory.htm
• ‘An Animated History of the Hamburger’ (New York Magazine, 2015):