Boston has been innovating for centuries. Its prowess, formulated with the race to build the first underground community powered by electricity, laid the groundwork for innovation to come.

As noted by PBS, “it was Boston — a city of so many firsts — that overcame a litany of engineering challenges, the greed-driven interests of businessmen, and the great fears of its citizenry to construct America’s first subway.”

You can read more on this historical feat on PBS.org.