ehind the picturesque scenery of San Diego lies a surprising hotbed of inventors and the iconic products they brought to the world. Maybe it’s our unique blend of border culture Border-bred brands, products, and movements that made it big BY LILLY CORCORAN Fame B
and perfect weather that fueled the creative minds behind so many innovative brands. Among SD’s most enduring exports? Every dad’s best friend, a couple of very famous doctors, and whiskey with a splash of peanut butter. We’ll take a double shot of that last one to sip while we read about some of the best things created right here at home. DR. SEUSS: 1904–1991 Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote, illustrated, and published more than 60 books (and a few SDM covers!). Already a popular writer and illustrator for grown-ups, Geisel was inspired by a ship’s engine to pen his first children’s book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Stree t (1937). His literature for little ones eventually took off like wildfire, selling more than 600 million copies during his lifetime alone. Geisel and his wife moved to La Jolla in 1948, where he lived until his death in 1991. The views from Geisel’s La Jolla home office were the backdrop to such legendary titles as The Cat in the Hat and The Lorax. SAN DIEGO ZOO: 1916 In the heart of Balboa Park sits the most-visited zoo in America. Previously called the Zoological Society of San Diego, the San Diego Zoo was founded in 1916 by Dr. Harry Wegeforth, who decided SD needed its own menagerie after hearing a lion roar at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The conservation-focused institution is now home to more than 4,000 animals—including a few made of bronze. Rex, the lion that inspired Wegeforth, was commemorated with a 27-foot statue in front of the zoo in 2018.
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