FROM FRISBEES TO BARBIE, A STATE OF FIRSTS AUTHOR CHRONICLES ODD BITS OF CALIFORNIA HISTORY.Byline: Judy O'Rourke Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - She had an avid interest in state and local history, and after years working as an editor in the publishing field she figured she could write better books than many of those that landed with a thud on her desk. So when the ad seeking an author to pen a book on California ``firsts'' called out, Teri Davis Greenberg answered with ``California Firsts: The Famous, Infamous, and Quirky of the Golden State.'' Some of the inventions she describes were once trademarked but have since become generic. ``It has the origin of the Frisbee, Barbie, the yo-yo, Hula-Hoops and bags of sealed potato chips,'' Greenberg said. ``When they were first sold, they were in a barrel, people would go in, take a scoop and put it in a bag. Laura Scudder Laura Clough Scudder (1881 – 1959) was an entrepreneur in Monterey Park, California, who made and sold potato chips and who pioneered the packaging of potato chips in sealed bags to extend freshness. decided this was not hygienic hy·gien·ic adj. 1. Of or relating to hygiene. 2. Tending to promote or preserve health. 3. Sanitary. .'' So the woman who most people probably think was a figment fig·ment n. Something invented, made up, or fabricated: just a figment of the imagination. [Middle English, from Latin figmentum, from fingere, of some ad man's imagination stuffed the chips between two pieces of waxed paper and ironed the edges, and voila voi·là interj. Used to call attention to or express satisfaction with a thing shown or accomplished: Mix the ingredients, chill, and . Quirkiness. The list includes such California staples as skateboards, video arcade games, Popsicles, McDonald's hamburgers, hard hats, martinis, the Jacuzzi, canned tuna fish and fortune cookies. ``There was a big ruckus about that,'' Greenberg said of the cookies. ``There was a trial to decide who would get recognized, San Francisco or Los Angeles.'' The Golden Gate city, which also had the first designated hard hat area at the Golden Gate bridge Golden Gate Bridge, across the Golden Gate from San Francisco to Marin Co., W Calif.; built 1933–37. Its overall length is 9,266 ft (2,824 m); its main span across the strait, 4,200 ft (1,280 m), is one of the longest bridges in the world. Joseph B. , won. The book is heavy on aviation firsts, noting the first woman to walk in space and first American woman in space hailed from the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. . Another first happened after Greenberg wrote the book in 2000, which briefly delayed publication of the lighthearted tome. ``9-11,'' Greenberg said. ``Everybody was so concerned, (so) preoccupied with what happened, they were not interested in the book.'' But its time came again, and publisher Edward Jutkowitz of Camino Press, a small independent publisher in Philadelphia, published the 192-page illustrated book as part of a small series on ``very educational trivia,'' he said. The local chapter of the The American Association of University Women ''This article or section is being rewritten at The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. has invited Greenberg to discuss the book, her experiences in publishing and her life at a 30-minute talk today. A question-and-answer session will follow. Judy O'Rourke, (661) 257-5255 judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com IF YOU GO Author Teri Davis Greenberg will speak at a meeting of the American Association of University Woman at 6:30 tonight at Mimi's Cafe, 24021 Magic Mountain Parkway. The cost is $17, which includes dinner. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: (color) Author Teri Davis Greenberg will discuss her book ``California Firsts.'' Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer Box: IF YOU GO (see text) |
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