Charles R. Nagreen (2 May 1870 – 5 June 1951),[1] known as "Hamburger Charlie", was an American claimant to the title of inventor of the hamburger.[2]
Born in Hortonville, Wisconsin, Nagreen was a 15-year-old vendor at the 1885 Seymour Fair.[3] After not experiencing success selling meatballs, he had an idea.[3][4] Knowing that the visitors to the fair would be hungry after gazing at the exhibits but would not be able to walk and eat, he smashed a meatball and placed it between two slices of bread.[3] His idea was a success, and he returned every year until his death in Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1951.[3]
The name of the hamburger came from the idea of "Hamburg steak", or ground beef.[3] Since this was a popular item in Seymour at the time of the 1885 fair, Nagreen decided to call the sandwich the "Hamburger".[3] This version of events is supported by local history organizations.[5]
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