The History of the Burger

Insurance salesman Edgar Ingram and cook Walter Anderson open the first White Castle hamburger stand in Wichita, Kansas. Their burgers, that sold for 5 cents, consisted of thin ground-beef patties cooked on a griddle, caramelized onions piled on top, and served on a spongy yeast bun. They later developed a smaller version about 2 ½ inches in diameter called a “slider” that was sold by the bag.

Lionel Sternberger adds a slice of cheese to the burger and is credited with creating the first official cheeseburger at the Rite Spot Restaurant in Pasadena, California.

Elzie Segar, creator of the Popeye cartoon strip, premiers a new character, J. Wellington Wimpy (“Wimpy”) who is obsessed with hamburgers and constantly is saying, “I’d gladly pay you Tuesday, for a hamburger today.”