Birthplace of the Inventor of the Doughnut Hole

Rockport, Maine

As with so many world-changing events, the truth behind the invention of the doughnut hole has been obscured by the gooey, uneven frosting of history. But a tale that survives is of a sea captain named Hanson Gregory, born in Rockport, who reportedly ate blobs of fried dough while piloting his ship. One day in 1847, he impaled the blobs on the handles of the ship's big steering wheel for easy snack access. Bingo. The idea of the doughnut -- dough with a handy hole -- was born.

Rockport didn't forget Hanson. On the 100th anniversary of his discovery a plaque was erected at his birth site (spelling his invention "donut"). The building that once stood there is now gone, but the Lutheran church that currently occupies the spot takes good care of the plaque, planting around it with flowers.

Hanson may have fallen into obscurity of late, even in his home town, but it's clear that those who do remember him treat the captain with respect. He made our breakfasts and business conference snack trays better.