Texas Lawmaker Challenges Burger History

[snopes]

A burger battle is brewing between a Texas state legislator and the owners of Louis' Lunch, a restaurant established in 1895, where it has been claimed that the hamburger was invented.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070115/D8MLVN100.html

[Valitudinarius Rex]

If it was invented in the USA, WHY do we call it a "Hamburger"??

According to Wikipedia, and to every German person I grew up with, the serving of a ground meat patty on a bun is a European tradition that goes back to the invention of bread.

The Earl of Sandwich might also have a few things to say on the subject of the origin of convenience foods...

[Towknie]

People, people!! You just don't get it! EVERYTHING that is good about the world was invented in Texas.

[Mr. Furious]

Originally Posted by Valitudinarius Rex

If it was invented in the USA, WHY do we call it a "Hamburger"??

If the person who invented it came from Hamburg, Germany, (or had visited there) and named it such because it was something that was made there, then it makes sense.

"Hey, they made this cool thing when I was in Hamburg, but they don't make it here. It's basically a meat sandwich, but since I saw it in Hamburg, I'll call it a hamburger."

[glass papaya]

There must not be any important issues for the Texas legislature to work on this term.

[rlobinske]

Didn't the Roman writer Apicius provide a recipe for something similar to a hamburger?

[KathyB]

Try this:
History of Hamburgers

It includes several historical possibilities--as there is not complete consensus. The name appears to some from a meat patty called HAmburg steak" or "steak cooked in the Hamburg style" but the association of Hamburg, GErmany varies.

As for "who made the first hamburger and bun in America," there is debate, party because [quote]is it a hamburger when served on a bun? Or is it a hamburger when served between two slices of bread?

Only one of the claimants [discussed on the web page] served their hamburgers on a bun - Oscar Weber Bilby in 1891. The rest served them as sandwiches between two slices of bread.

IN 1995, the governor of Oklahoma proclaimed that OK was the real home of the burger. The proclamation begins "Whereas, scurrilous rumors have credited Athens, Texas, as the birthplace of the hamburger, claiming for that region south of the Red River commonly known as Baja Oklahoma a fame and renown which are hardly its due" The full proclamation & much more history are on that web site.

Originally Posted by Valitudinarius Rex

If it was invented in the USA, WHY do we call it a "Hamburger"??

Because of the difference between "hamburger" and "a hamburger"...

[Gayle]

"We are even the birthplace of George Bush, who wants people to think he's from Texas. So yes, the hamburger is as much a New Haven original as President Bush," DeStefano said. "Get over it, Texas."

I'll surrender the hamburger if they'll take Bush with it.

[Floater]

Originally Posted by KathyB

As for "who made the first hamburger and bun in America," there is debate, party[sic!] because is it a hamburger when served on a bun? Or is it a hamburger when served between two slices of bread?

In Sweden the "on a bun" variety is called a Parisare, although in some parts of the country that means a slice of sausage on a bun (don't believe those who say it's so. They don't know what they're talking about).