In the early days of telephone use, calls were connected by an operator. Almon Strowger, a Kansas City undertaker, suspected his local operator was directing his calls to a competing undertaker.

The innovative and pioneering spirit of Kansas City can be traced back to the days of the wagon trains heading west on the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails.

Life sciences, and in particular, animal health, have a long history in KC. In 1863, Bayer HealthCare AG was established and the bioscience industry in Kansas City was born.

Kansas City has a long history in the financial industry. In 1865, Kansas City’s first bank, the Kansas City Savings Association, was founded by Francis Reid Long.

Kansas City’s architecture and engineering industry is responsible for the foundation of the city’s infrastructure.