Our city boasts a tremendous history of innovation and achievement. From establishing the country's first post office and public school systems to birthing the national anthem and first African American Supreme Court Justice, Thurgood Marshall, Baltimore played a significant role in shaping American history. The city's legacy of firsts continues to inspire and drive progress to this day. Here are some of those super cool firsts, including some related to our recent coverage: 

• MedTech Innovator is a global competition and accelerator for medical device, digital health and diagnostics companies. 2023 was the first time it held a regional pitch event in Baltimore. 
  
  
• Baltimore established the first post office system in the United States in 1774.
  
  
• The first railroad station in the United States, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's Mount Clare Station, was built in Baltimore in 1829.
  • Sidebar: The B&O Railroad Museum’s executive director Kris Hoellen personally took me and a few friends through one of the museum's newest exhibitions, "The Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad," at B-360s reception and fundraiser a few weeks ago. 
    
    
• The first dental college in the world, the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, was founded in Baltimore in 1840.
  
  
• Baltimore established the first public school system in the United States in 1829.
  

These are just a few examples of the many "firsts" associated with Baltimore, making it a city of great historical significance and innovation.

What are your favorite Baltimore-bred innovations? Let us know by emailing baltimore@technical.ly.

— Technical.ly reporter Alanah Nichole Davis (alanah@technical.ly)