9 things you never knew about Leeds

A single stroll around Leeds and you can understand why it consistently makes lists of Best Cities to Live in. 

Both culturally rich and economically vibrant, the Athens of the North doesn’t exactly need to be told what distincts it from others in terms of appeal, but why not do it anyway? Just in case you were in doubt about the place in which you grew up or are considering a big move to…

WE INVENTED CLUEDO

Well, Murder as it was originally known. Creator Anthony E. Pratt may have grown up in Birmingham, but in 1944 he took the idea for his board game to Waddington’s Games in Leeds. They loved it and five years* later, the rest was history.

*World War II delayed the release date. 

HIPPOS ONCE ROAMED THE STREETS

This is mad, isn’t it? Hippos? Down Briggate? Apparently so, yeah. 

In 1984, during the construction of the Armley Gyratory, the bones of an ancient hippo dating back 130,000 years were found. It remains one of the city’s greatest discoveries. You can see the thing for yourself at Leeds City Museum. 

WE ONCE HAD A TRAMLINE

Anyone who lives in Leeds has probably complained about the public transport at some point. Maybe that’s all you do. Calls for a tram system have been gaining popularity over the last decade and rightfully so. 

It might anger you to know one has already been and gone. Been there, done that, got the highly-efficient tram across the city. 

The transit system opened in October 1891 and used single-decker horse drawn trams until the introduction of steam and electric ones at the turn of the century. It sadly closed in 1959. 

WE MADE THE FIRST EVER FILMS

It’s all Hollywood these days. Hollywood this, Hollywood that. But the motion picture has humble origins in, you guessed it, Leeds.

Now it wasn’t the invention of a Loiner, but French artist Louis Le Prince filmed the very first films in Leeds, where he’d lived since 1866. The Roundhay Garden Scene at Oakwood Grange and the Traffic Crossing Leeds Bridge (two classics you have to see before you die) were both shot in 1888 and paved the way for every movie since. 

WE HAVE THE LONGEST RUNNING WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL IN EUROPE

The Notting Hill Carnival gang love to rub their big street party in the rest of are faces but the reality is, their beloved festival is a paltry imitation of a greater and older northern festival. Shock!

The Leeds West Indian Carnival has been going longer than any other in Europe, actually. Every August bank holiday weekend, Chapeltown puts on the best Caribbean-influenced parade the world has ever seen. And they’ve been doing so since 1967. 

If you haven’t been, you’re really missing out. 

WE MADE FIZZY DRINKS

Leeds lad Joseph Priestley is one of the most improtant scientists of the 18th century. Why? He was credited with the discovery of oxygen.

His greatest achievement however, came with the invention of carbonated water. His method of infusing water with carbon dioxide gas was eventually nabbed by J.J. Schweppe in the late 18th century to start his world-famous drinks company. 

WE HAVE THE LAST GAS-LIT CINEMA IN THE UK

The Hyde Park Picture House has long been a refuge of students and cinema buffs alike. It opened just before the outbreak of World War I in 1914 and continues to draw newcomers in 2021.

If you’re wanting to watch a film, new or old, you could pick worse places than this novelty getaway. 

WE STARTED M&S

Alright, you probably knew this one. You should do anyway. 

Michael Marks opened up a penny bazaar in Leeds’ Kirkgate Market back in 1884. A decade later, he teamed up with Tom Spencer to expand the business, moving to Boar Lane and then Briggate, where the store remains today. 

WE GAVE THE INTERNET TO THE COUNTRY

Leeds? The world wide web? T’internet? Before anyone else? Yep. 

In 1998, Leeds produced the UK’s first internet provider, Freeserve. It was later sold to a French company called Wannadoo in 2000 for a WHOPPING £1.65 billion. At the time, Freeserve had accumulated almost 2 million active customers.

So there you have it. Any more we should be aware of? Let us know.