15 Random Things You Can Totally Thank Texas For
Margaritas and Barney together at last!
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7-Eleven
Every time you gulp down a Slurpee, thank the Lone Star State. Back in 1927, Southland Ice Company employee “Uncle Johnny” Jefferson Green started selling staples (think milk, bread, eggs) at the company's pop-up ice house storefronts. The grocery items were such a hit that the company rolled the idea out to its 21 retail docks, and the convenience store was born! The ice docks eventually evolved into Tote'm Stores, which were later renamed 7-Eleven — to reflect the stores' original operating hours — in 1946.
Frozen Margaritas
Yes, margaritas originated in Mexico. But in 1971, Dallas restauranteur Mariano Martinez retrofitted a soft-serve machine, poured in some margarita mix, and out came what is now one of America's favorite drinks. Fun fact: In 2005, the National American History Museum acquired Martinez's original machine.
Via Flickr: jypsygen
Barney
Former inner-city school teacher Sheryl Leach brought Barney to life in 1987 when she saw a gap in the preschool home video market. It wasn't until 1992 that Barney became a cultural phenomenon, when PBS stations across the country started broadcasting Leach's videos. The series stopped production in 2009, but was filmed all over the Dallas area — which explains why Dallas natives Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato were part of the cast.
PBS
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