Hi there! I’m Craig, and today we’re diving into a tasty mystery: who invented the hot dog? It’s a tricky question because the history of the hot dog is filled with twists and turns. Let’s explore this delicious topic together!
Before we talk about hot dogs, we need to mention their ancestor: the sausage. Sausages have been around for a very long time. They even appear in ancient texts like Homer’s “The Odyssey,” written around the 8th century BCE. The ancient Romans loved sausages too, thanks to Emperor Nero’s chef, who helped make them popular.
As time went on, sausages became a big part of the cuisine in Germany and Austria. This is where things get interesting. Two European cities, Frankfurt and Vienna, both claim to have invented the hot dog.
People from Frankfurt say they created the hot dog in 1487, which is why we call them “Frankfurters.” Meanwhile, Vienna has its own story. They say two Austro-Hungarian immigrants, Emil Reichel and Sam Liny, invented the hot dog. These two moved to Chicago and sold their hot dogs at the 1893 World’s Fair. This might have been the start of the famous Chicago-style hot dog. Emil and Sam even started a company called Vienna Beef, which is still making hot dogs in Chicago today.
By the way, Vienna is known as “Wien” in German, which is where the term “wiener” comes from. It’s okay to chuckle; talking about sausages can be funny!
Just when you thought it couldn’t get more confusing, there’s another name to consider: Johann Georgheiner. He was a butcher in the 1600s, and some people believe he brought the hot dog to Frankfurt. This would have been much later than the 1487 claim, adding more mystery to the story.
So, who invented the hot dog? It seems that Europeans played a big role in its creation. Whether it was Frankfurt, Vienna, or someone else, the hot dog has a rich history. The next time you enjoy one, you can think about its journey through time and across continents.
If you have your own big question, feel free to share it! Thanks for joining us on this tasty adventure, and be sure to check out more fun videos next week. See you next time!
Research the key events and figures mentioned in the article, such as the ancient sausages, Frankfurt’s claim in 1487, and the 1893 World’s Fair. Create a timeline that visually represents these events. Use images and short descriptions to make your timeline engaging and informative.
Divide into groups and take on the roles of representatives from Frankfurt and Vienna. Prepare arguments to support your city’s claim to the invention of the hot dog. Present your case to the class, and then hold a vote to see which city makes the most convincing argument.
Imagine you are at the 1893 World’s Fair. Design a unique hot dog by choosing different types of sausages, buns, and toppings. Create a poster that advertises your hot dog creation, including a catchy name and description. Share your design with the class and explain why your hot dog would be a hit at the fair.
Research different types of sausages from various countries, such as bratwurst from Germany or chorizo from Spain. Create a presentation that highlights the unique characteristics of each sausage, including ingredients, preparation methods, and cultural significance. Share your findings with the class.
Write a creative short story from the perspective of a hot dog traveling through time and across continents. Include historical events and figures mentioned in the article, and imagine the adventures and challenges the hot dog might face. Share your story with the class and discuss the historical elements you included.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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Hi, I’m Craig, but you can call me “Hot Dog,” and this is Mental Floss on YouTube. You don’t have to call me “Hot Dog,” and you don’t even have to talk to me, actually. Today, I’m going to answer Ben’s big question: Who invented the hot dog?
Ben, you’ve really made things hard for us here at Mental Floss because there aren’t many things in this world as controversial as your question. But I respect your thirst for knowledge, and I like talking a lot, so I’m going to try to answer it anyway. Let’s get started!
It goes without saying that the hot dog has an ancestor: the sausage. Unfortunately, we don’t know who invented the sausage because it has been around for a very long time. It was mentioned in Homer’s “The Odyssey,” which was written around the 8th century BCE. The ancient Romans also ate sausage, thanks to Emperor Nero’s chef, who is credited with popularizing the dish.
Moving forward in time and across the continent, people from Germany and Austria embraced sausages as part of their cuisine. Here’s where we have a bit of a debate: two European towns believe they are responsible for the hot dog—Frankfurt and Vienna.
The people of Frankfurt say that the hot dog was invented there in 1487, which is how we got the word “Frankfurter.” The people of Vienna, on the other hand, claim that the hot dog was invented by two Austro-Hungarian immigrants, Emil Reichel and Sam Liny. They lived in Vienna and then moved to Chicago, where they sold their hot dogs at the 1893 World’s Fair. Even if these weren’t the first hot dogs, they were probably the first Chicago-style hot dogs. The pair ended up founding Vienna Beef, a hot dog manufacturer that remains in Chicago today.
By the way, Vienna is also known as “Wien” in German, which is where we got the term “wiener.” It’s okay to laugh; I knew we wouldn’t get through a whole video about sausages without some humor.
If this hasn’t been confusing enough, I’m going to throw another name out there: Johann Georgheiner. We couldn’t find a pronunciation for his name on the internet, but he has also been credited with inventing the hot dog in Germany. Johann was a butcher living in the 1600s, and some claim that it was actually him who brought the hot dog to Frankfurt, which would have been much later than they claimed the hot dog was invented. See? Confusing!
So, I guess the answer to your question, Ben, is that Europeans invented the hot dog. As for the rest, you’re just going to have to go with your gut on this one. If you have a big question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it in the comments below.
Thanks for watching Mental Floss on YouTube, and when you see our video next week, click on the link. Get it? See you next time!
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This version maintains the original content while removing informal language and ensuring clarity.
Hot Dog – A cooked sausage, traditionally made from beef or pork, served in a sliced bun as a sandwich, often associated with American culture and history. – During the early 20th century, hot dogs became a popular food at baseball games, symbolizing American leisure and culture.
Sausage – A food product made from ground meat, often seasoned and encased, with a history dating back to ancient civilizations. – Sausages were a staple in many European diets and were brought to America by immigrants, influencing the country’s culinary history.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs, which helps us understand how societies and cultures have evolved over time. – Learning about the history of the Civil Rights Movement helps students understand the struggle for equality in the United States.
Frankfurt – A city in Germany known for its historical significance and as the origin of the frankfurter sausage, which influenced the creation of the American hot dog. – The frankfurter sausage, originating from Frankfurt, became a popular food item at American fairs and sporting events.
Vienna – The capital city of Austria, known for its rich cultural history and as the origin of the Vienna sausage, which contributed to the development of the hot dog. – Vienna’s culinary traditions, including the Vienna sausage, have had a lasting impact on global cuisine.
Cuisine – A style or method of cooking, especially as characteristic of a particular country, region, or establishment. – The diverse cuisine of the United States reflects the country’s history of immigration and cultural exchange.
Immigrants – People who move to a new country or region to settle there, often bringing their cultural traditions and cuisines with them. – Immigrants from various countries have greatly influenced the cultural and social landscape of the United States throughout its history.
Chicago – A major city in the United States known for its historical significance in industry, culture, and as a hub for immigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries. – Chicago’s history as a melting pot of cultures is reflected in its diverse neighborhoods and vibrant food scene.
Beef – The meat from cattle, which has been a significant part of human diets and economies throughout history. – The cattle industry played a crucial role in the economic development of the American West during the 19th century.
Mystery – Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain, often used in historical contexts to describe unexplained events or phenomena. – The disappearance of the Roanoke Colony remains one of the greatest mysteries in American history.
