Hot dogs have been a classic American staple for centuries, with their origin story stretching back to the mid-1800s. From New York parks to Major League Baseball stadiums across the country, the hot dog has become an iconic representation of American culture.

Read on to discover how the beloved frankfurter came to be and explore some of its most significant moments in history.

The first documented mention of the hot dog in America is credited to a cartoonist named Thomas Aloysius “TAD” Dorgan, who drew a picture of a dachshund sausage sandwich in 1901. The image was captioned as “hot dog!” and is widely believed to be the first use of the term

In 1904, St. Louis vendors became one of the first to sell hot dogs during games at the World Series, establishing an enduring connection between baseball and hot dogs that still stands today.

The late 1920s saw Nathan Handwerker open his now-iconic hot dog stand in Coney Island, New York. His famous franks cost just five cents each and quickly became a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

At the 1939 New York World Fair, millions of hungry visitors discovered that hot dogs could be served inside a split-open bun – something previously unknown by many Americans.

In 1950, Fred Berner created the Sabrett brand we know today after coming up with the now-standard natural casing beef and pork blend frankfurter recipe.

By 1972, people had started eating more than just beef franks: Oscar Mayer released its own line of premium pork and beef franks called “American Style Hot Dogs” - bringing tastier alternatives into homes across America.

Today, hot dogs continue to be enjoyed at sporting events, backyard barbecues and summer festivals all over the US!