You Think Kansas Is Boring? Think Again.
LET’S Take a look at The Weirdest (and Coolest) Things Made Right Here in Kansas
Hey, who out there thinks they know Kansas. I mean, really freaking knows a ton about our wonderful state. More than just the popular and superficial stuff like endless amounts of wheat, wind, sunflowers, and flat lands.
What if I told you that that’s only about 5% of the story. Well, buckle the hell out peeps, because behind the scenes…
Kansas is quietly producing some of the coolest, strangest, and most impressive things in the country. And unfortunately most people have no clue.
So read on and let’s fix that.
1. Airplanes That Touch the Entire World
Wichita isn’t called the Air Capital of the World for fun. Is that even considered fun in this day and age?
Well, whether you consider it fun or not, IT DEFINITELY IS EPIC! Major manufacturers like Textron Aviation and Spirit AeroSystems are building aircraft and other technological components that are used to fly people across the globe.
Every. Single. Day.
So ultimately, there’s a good chance that if you’ve ever been on a plane… YUP, you guessed it, your fellow Kansans had something to do with it.
2. The Pizza You Didn’t Know Came From Kansas
Love pizza? Of course you do. At least I don’t want to meet the person that doesn’t.
What you might not know is that Kansas plays a huge role in producing ingredients and products used by major food brands across the country. (PIZZA HUT AND PAPA JOHNS WERE STARTED HERE, whether you think that is considered good pizza, I don’t anymore, they can claim this great state)
Companies like Schwan's Company have operations tied to the region, helping crank out frozen foods that end up in freezers nationwide. That’s right, up near Salina: Red Baron, Tony’s and so on. The good freezer stuff!
So next time you go to grab some late-night pizza?
There’s a solid chance Kansas helped make it happen.
🚽 3. Toilets… But Make Them High-Tech
Yep. We’re going here.
Kansas is home to manufacturing tied to brands like Kohler Co., which means toilets, sinks, and fixtures that end up in homes and buildings across the country.
And these aren’t your grandpa’s toilets.
We’re talking:
Water-efficient tech
Sleek designs
High-performance systems
👉 Kansas is literally helping the world… run smoother. And thank God because could you really imagine what things would be like without toilets? I don’t want to!
🃏 4. Playing Cards Used Around the World
Ever played cards on game night?
There’s a strong chance those cards trace back to Kansas.
US Playing Card Company has had operations in Kansas, producing decks used in homes, casinos, and competitions worldwide.
👉 From poker nights to Vegas tables…
Kansas is in the game.
🛠️ 5. Massive Industrial Parts You Never Think About
Not everything flashy gets attention.
Kansas is packed with companies producing:
Aerospace components
Machinery parts
Structural materials
Stuff that keeps industries running, but rarely gets the spotlight. They might not be sexy, but dammit we need them!
Companies like Cargill and countless local manufacturers are part of a system that quietly powers the country.
👉 It’s not glamorous… but it’s essential.
🌻 So… What’s the Takeaway?
Kansas isn’t just fields and highways.
It’s:
Innovation
Manufacturing power
Hidden influence
It’s the kind of place where things are built, shipped, and sent out into the world… without needing the spotlight.
⚡ Kansas Weekly Take
The next time someone says Kansas is “boring”…
just smile.
Because while they’re talking…
Kansas is building things they use every single day.
And they don’t even know it.
-KW N8
If you’ve been enjoying Nate’s articles and would like to check out more from the Kansas Weekly catalogue, just click here!
If you liked this article, you might really enjoy this one on the Haunted Bridge in Valley Center! Click here to check it out!
And if you like the more spooky content, check out this article FT. Dodge, it’s pretty gnarly. For part 1, click here and check it out!
Hey friends, if you love Kansas Weekly and what we are trying to do, and would like to buy Nate or James a coffee while we’re out on the road, we’d love anything that you could do!! Here is Nate’s Venmo and it all goes to Kansas Weekly! Just click here
