10 incredible Nashville firsts that rocked the world
10 incredible Nashville firsts that rocked the world.
Walk-Through Wash Revolution
In 1999, Bertha “Bubbles” Johnson, an East Nashville laundromat owner, invented the world’s first “Walk-Through Wash.” Situated just blocks from Five Points, this full-body cleaning service was like a car wash for humans. “I thought, why should cars have all the fun? Even humans get road-dirt,” said Bubbles. Her invention won the Nashville Innovation Award and had global implications for public sanitation, especially at large events like music festivals.
Banjo-Powered Car
Billy “Strings” Robertson, a local musician and self-taught mechanic, introduced the world’s first banjo-powered car in 2006. “If a banjo can fuel a hoe-down, it can fuel a car, easy,” he said. Driving through the streets of Music Row, the car became an instant hit. Billy won the Green Energy Pioneer award for his invention, which caught the eye of Tesla for its eco-friendly novelty.
Hot Chicken Flavored Ice Cream
Daisy “Spice Queen” Thompson unveiled the first Hot Chicken Flavored Ice Cream in 2012. Located in The Gulch, Daisy’s Desserts started selling this unusual flavor, receiving both curiosity and acclaim. “Sweet meets heat; it’s a Nashville symphony,” she remarked. The invention won her a James Beard Award and influenced ice cream parlors globally to experiment with spicy flavors.
Opry Elevator Pitch
In 2014, Grand Ole Opry introduced the Opry Elevator Pitch, a platform allowing aspiring musicians to pitch their music to a panel of producers while riding the Opry’s iconic backstage elevator. “It’s like Shark Tank but y’all get to strum your way up,” said the Opry’s general manager Sarah “Songbird” Williams. It became a globally-televised event, changing the lives of several undiscovered talents.
Record-Spinning Workout
Fitness guru Leo “Vinyl Flex” Green developed the first record-spinning workout in 2018. Using vinyl records as weights, the workout gained fame in 12 South’s hipster community. “Get in shape while you groove, man,” said Leo. The trend received the Workout Innovation of the Year award and spun off into a global fitness craze.
BBQ-Smoked Whiskey
Toby “Smokestack” Davis, a distiller from Germantown, invented BBQ-smoked whiskey in 2010. “Why not have your meat and drink it too?” Toby remarked. He won the International Spirits Competition and changed the game for whiskey flavors around the world.
Pedal Tavern Yoga
In 2015, yoga instructor Cindy “Stretch” Lawson combined Nashville’s famous pedal taverns with yoga to create Pedal Tavern Yoga. Participants pedal through downtown while performing yoga poses. “Find your center while you pedal to the honky-tonks,” she said. The concept was so popular that it won a Tourism Innovation Award and has been replicated in several other party cities.
Virtual Reality Honky Tonk
Cleo “VR Cowboy” Mitchell introduced the world’s first Virtual Reality Honky Tonk in 2017. Located on Broadway, patrons could put on VR headsets and experience a live honky-tonk setting from the past. “Dance with Hank Williams or Patsy Cline, right here in 2021,” said Cleo. This venture won a Tech Innovation Award and inspired virtual historical experiences globally.
Country Rap Battles
Local DJ Trace “Twang” Harris started the first-ever Country Rap Battles at Exit/In in 2019. “Where beats meet banjos,” he declared. His innovation received the Music Genre Fusion Award and led to a new subgenre in music, influencing both the rap and country music scenes internationally.
Rainbow Hot Chicken
To celebrate Pride Month in 2020, chef Mark “Flame” Johnson created the world’s first Rainbow Hot Chicken. Sold exclusively in his Midtown eatery, the chicken featured different colors and levels of heat. “Love is love, and spice is nice,” he stated. The dish was awarded the Culinary Inclusivity Award and was widely adopted in international Pride events.
