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Discover Oklahoma City: Top 4 Amazing Fun Facts You Never Knew!

illustration of oklahoma-city
Get ready to be blown away as you delve into these fascinating and quirky fun facts about Oklahoma City that will leave you feeling like a bona fide Sooner!

1. Birthplace of Parking Meters

Next time you're forced to "nickel and dime" your way into a parking spot, remember to tip your hat to the Sooner State's sneaky history of skulduggery: Oklahoma City is the birthplace of the world's first parking meter, invented in 1935 by Carl C. Magee, a master at exposing scandals such as the Teapot Dome debacle, to solve the city's parking space crunch.
Source => history.com

2. Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Fever

Who needs scissors when you've got a flycatcher on your tail? Oklahoma City embraces these natural-born pest exterminators with open wings: The scissor-tailed flycatcher, known for its astonishing six-inch forked tail and appetite for harmful insects, is Oklahoma's official state bird, designated under House Joint Resolution Number 21 in 1951, thanks to the tireless efforts of the state's Audubon Society, garden clubs, and other wildlife enthusiasts.
Source => okhistory.org

3. Home of The Flaming Lips

Waking up with a serious case of the "pink robot blues": The Flaming Lips, a wildly experimental psychedelic rock band, hailing from Oklahoma City since 1983, has graced us with their eccentric presence and unique sound for over three decades. Garnering critical acclaim and three shiny Grammy Awards, this band has left their mark on the music scene with albums like Transmissions from the Satellite Heart, The Soft Bulletin, and of course, the legendary Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots. Turns out, Oklahoma City is more than just OK!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Ralph Ellison's Invisible Roots

You know how they say, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, in Oklahoma City, you might say, "A reader a day keeps invisibility at bay": Here's a fun fact for your literary delight – Oklahoma City is the birthplace of Ralph Ellison, the renowned author who penned the National Book Award-winning novel Invisible Man. Ellison's powerful exploration of American identity still resonates in today's society, proving he's far from a disappearing act!
Source => koco.com

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