Patrick Oconnell
The cheeseburger is a staple of fast food menus across the world, but when was it first made? While it's impossible to know for sure who invented the cheeseburger, there are several people who have been credited with its creation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1924, 1926, or 1934 |
| Inventor | Lionel Sternberger, or Charles Kaelin |
| Location | Pasadena, California or Louisville, Kentucky |
| Age of Inventor | 16 |
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What You'll Learn
- The first cheeseburger was made in 1924 by 16-year-old Lionel Sternberger
- The first sandwich officially labelled a cheeseburger was made in 1934 at Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky
- In 1935, the term cheeseburger was trademarked by Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado
- The first bacon cheeseburger was invented in 1963 by Dale Mulder, the owner of an A&W Restaurants franchise in Lansing, Michigan
- The cheeseburger was reputedly invented out of boredom
The first cheeseburger was made in 1924 by 16-year-old Lionel Sternberger
Despite the popularity of the cheeseburger today, it is impossible to know for sure who created the first one. Other restaurants have also claimed to have invented it, including Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, which said it invented the cheeseburger in 1934. The Steak 'n Shake archives also suggest that the restaurant's founder, Gus Belt, applied for a trademark on the word in the 1930s.
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The first sandwich officially labelled a cheeseburger was made in 1934 at Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky
Despite this, it wasn't until 1934 that Kaelin's restaurant introduced the first sandwich to be officially labelled a "cheeseburger". The term "cheeseburger" was then trademarked by Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado, in 1935.
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In 1935, the term cheeseburger was trademarked by Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado
The cheeseburger was first created in 1924 by Lionel Sternberger, who was working as a fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California, sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot". Sternberger decided to place a slice of American cheese on top of a hamburger patty, and the combination was deemed delicious. However, the concept of a cheese-topped burger didn't become widespread until the 1930s. In 1934, Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, introduced the first sandwich officially labelled as a "cheeseburger".
Just a year later, in 1935, the term "cheeseburger" was trademarked by Louis Ballast of Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado. Ballast's trademarking of the term "cheeseburger" is a significant moment in the history of the iconic dish. It not only recognised the growing popularity of the cheeseburger but also helped to establish it as a distinct menu item. By trademarking the name, Ballast ensured that the term "cheeseburger" would be associated with his restaurant and that customers would know exactly what to expect when ordering one.
The trademarking of the term "cheeseburger" by Louis Ballast is an interesting example of the intersection of food and intellectual property. While the exact recipe for a cheeseburger may vary from one restaurant to another, the trademark ensures that the name "cheeseburger" remains associated with a specific combination of ingredients and preparation methods. This helps to create a sense of consistency and familiarity for customers, who know that when they order a cheeseburger, they can expect a certain type of dining experience.
The Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado, became synonymous with the cheeseburger after Ballast's trademarking of the term. The restaurant likely benefited from increased recognition and popularity, as customers seeking the now-trademarked cheeseburger would have been drawn to the establishment. This move by Ballast not only secured the place of the cheeseburger in culinary history but also helped to establish the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In as a destination for burger enthusiasts.
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The first bacon cheeseburger was invented in 1963 by Dale Mulder, the owner of an A&W Restaurants franchise in Lansing, Michigan
The story of the cheeseburger's invention is a little more complicated. In 1924, Lionel Sternberger, a 16-year-old fry cook at his father's Pasadena, California, sandwich shop, "The Rite Spot", decided to place a slice of American cheese on a hamburger patty. Sternberger's father approved of the creation, and the cheeseburger was born. However, the concept of a cheese-topped burger didn't become widespread until the 1930s. In 1934, Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, introduced the first sandwich officially labelled as a "cheeseburger". The term "cheeseburger" was trademarked a year later, in 1935, by Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado.
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The cheeseburger was reputedly invented out of boredom
There are several competing claims to the invention of the cheeseburger. For example, Kaelin's Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, says it invented the cheeseburger in 1934. However, the trademark for the name "cheeseburger" was awarded to Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado, in 1935. According to Steak 'n Shake archives, the restaurant's founder, Gus Belt, applied for a trademark on the word in the 1930s. Dale Mulder, the owner of an A&W Restaurants franchise in Lansing, Michigan, has been credited with inventing the bacon cheeseburger in 1963, after repeated requests from the same customer.
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Frequently asked questions
It is reputed that Lionel Sternberger invented the cheeseburger in 1924 (or 1926) at the age of 16.
The cheeseburger was invented in Pasadena, California, at a sandwich shop called "The Rite Spot".
In 1934, Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky, introduced the first sandwich officially labelled as a "cheeseburger".
In 1935, the term "cheeseburger" was trademarked by Louis Ballast of the Humpty Dumpty Drive-In in Denver, Colorado.
