Who Invented Pizza and Why?︱Salerno’s Pizza (2024)

Pizza was first invented in Naples, Italy as a fast, affordable, tasty meal for working-class Neapolitans on the go. While we all know and love these slices of today, pizza actually didn’t gain mass appeal until the 1940s, when immigrating Italians brought their classic slices to the United States. Salerno’s is digging into who invented pizza and why, so let’s dive into the history of pizza!

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Who Invented Pizza First?

While topped flatbreads were consumed in ancient Egypt and Rome, Italians are credited as the people who invented pizza first. During the 1700s and 1800s, Naples was a bustling waterfront city especially near the shore, where overcrowding and primarily outdoor living forced locals to find quick, easy ways to feed their families. Pizza became a common dish because of its limited ingredients and handy portability, but it was considered a street food for the poor, unsuitable for the upper class.

Little did they know how this seemingly simple creation would turn into a global phenomenon.

Where Was Pizza Invented?

Italy may be where pizza was invented, but it wasn’t until Neapolitans crossed the Atlantic that this cheesy cuisine started to really take off. The first documented pizza parlor, Lombardi’s, opened in Manhattan in 1905 and is still open today. Before then, there were many unlicensed vendors selling slices to hungry Italian-Americans.

After World War II, the world began to clamor for all-things Americana, sending pizza into the stratosphere. All around the world chefs began to experiment with this centuries-old creation, making it new again with local flavors and ingredients such as Sicilian-style pizza. No longer relegated as an unfit meal, pizza became an instant classic, launching numerous chains and endless ways to satisfy cravings.

The Salerno brothers opened their first pizzeria in 1966 in Chicago, and have been delighting locals ever since!

How Pizza was Re-Invented

During the 1940s, Italians started serving up their slices in the United States, and Americans quickly took notice of the unique flavors. Pizzerias began popping up in major cities such as Boston, Chicago, and St. Louis. This led to regional variations on the original Neopolitan classic. Some of them include:

New York Style with big, floppy slices meant to be folded
Detroit style with a thick, square crust and crispy cheese baked onto the edges
St. Louis style with a cracker crust and something called Provel cheese
Chicago deep dish, which some people compare to lasagna with a crust

Another Chicago-style is called double dough pizza, which is a favorite at your neighborhood Salerno’s location. Also called “tavern style,” this Chicago original features a one-inch thick chewy crust that stands up to piles of toppings and cheese.

At the same time the world began to clamor for all things Americana, sending pizza into the stratosphere. All around the world chefs began to experiment with this centuries-old creation, making it new again with local flavors and ingredients such as Sicilian-style pizza. No longer relegated as an unfit meal, pizza became an instant classic, launching numerous chains and endless ways to satisfy cravings.

The Salerno brothers opened their first pizzeria in 1966 in Chicago, and have been delighting locals ever since!

Who Invented Pizza and Why: Fun Facts

In 1889, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples and enjoyed their first slice of pizza. The queen fancied hers with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, and from there on out, this iconic combo has been called the Margherita pizza. This meal is also credited as the first pizza delivery!
Though it’s unclear who invented the word “pizza,” the first documented instance is credited to Gaeta, Italy in 997 AD.
In 1994, the first pizza was ordered online, making it the first documented Internet purchase. Today, Americans eat 350 slices of pizza every second.

Grab a Slice From Salerno’s Pizza Today!

Now that you know who invented pizza, taste our spin on this classic Italian meal! Explore our menu to find a pie that satisfies your cravings, and check out our catering options for bigger events!