Comments on: Invented in Oakland

By: Paul Bostwick

Paul Bostwick — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:27:14 +0000

Super list! Well presented too. I’m an inventor living in Oakland. Maybe that dotted line will head my way some day soon.

By: Russell Yee

Russell Yee — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 04:21:31 +0000

Yes, fortune cookie machines chugging away at Tom’s Bakery, 9th x Harrison, was just there yest (Jan 2013).

Also, to be regrettably specific: the Ettore squeegee folks are indeed near OAK but actually in the Alameda side of Bay Farm Island

By: Oakland history — a look back in words and photos – Oakland North : North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events

Sat, 28 Jul 2012 17:06:19 +0000

[...] And finally, it wouldn’t be a historical celebration without mentioning some of the great — and absurd — inventions that have been attributed to Oaklanders. See our project that sorts the factual from the fictious with Invented in Oakland. [...]

By: Joanne

Joanne — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:30:27 +0000

Guys, I think there is fortune cookie folding machine operating in Oakland, contrary to what is stated in this fun article. I bought some fortune cookies at a factory on 9th or 8th a block and a half from Jackson, and they offer flat round (unfolded) cookies, or folded ones with a fortune inside, this summer 2011. Unless they are folding thousands of cookies by hand… Thanks for the article!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 07:19:20 +0000

I am not sure of the point that you are trying to make about checking the internet. I know that some sites claim that Epperson invented the popsicle while living in San Francisco. I looked into this. Frank Epperson definitely lived in Oakland when he applied for his patent for the process of making popsicles. I contacted the Good Humor company and they sent me a copy of his patent application. I also read an interesting article which discussed the weather for the year that Epperson accidentally first made a popsicle by leaving some flavored water with a stirring stick out in the cold where it froze overnight. Apparently the temperature never dropped below freezing in San Francisco that year, but it did get that cold in Oakland on a few dates. It looks like the case for Oakland being the home of the popsicle is pretty ironclad no matter whether you consider the invention date to be the time of the first unintentional frozen ice or the time that the actual process for creating the product was developed.

By: Invented in Oakland: the credibility test – Oakland North -- North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events.

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:31:37 +0000

[...] here to see the full-page version of Invented in Oakland. Filed Under: Culture This entry was written by Allison Davis, posted on at 10:25 pm, filed [...]

By: john deckard

john deckard — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:01:02 +0000

wow, martin, angry much? i’m a frequent reader of this site and find they produce many forms of journalism.

anyway, looks great guys, thank you!

By: Martin Truman

Martin Truman — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:32:18 +0000

Jeez, you guys sure have pretty graphics. But since you’re a journalism school, shouldn’t you spend more time fact-checking? I know it’s a small point, and who really cares (perhaps another question the dean ought to ask as he squanders other people’s money on journalism of this nature), but take the time to google epperson + popsicle.

By: melanie

melanie — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 17:48:40 +0000

awesome awesome awesome