Pittsburgh’s Contributions to the World, Pt. VII

To celebrate the beginning of our 20th year, we’ve set out to catalogue the contributions that Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania have made to the world. The list has grown and grown, and despite our best efforts, we know we’ll leave out key contributors. I think you’ll find that this small city at the confluence of three rivers has played an astonishingly outsized role in the creation of this country and the world we inhabit. So, read on, and be inspired to pick up the gauntlet and take your turn in building this great American city – Douglas Heuck

Richard King Mellon – The Father of Pittsburgh’s Renaissance   
Richard King Mellon was the grandson of Thomas Mellon, who founded the family banking dynasty. Richard’s uncle was Andrew Mellon and his father was Richard Beatty Mellon, who was Andrew Mellon’s brother and key business partner. “R.K.” was a prominent businessman and philanthropist who played perhaps the most crucial role in shaping modern Pittsburgh. Born in 1899, he inherited a legacy of wealth and responsibility. The chairman of Mellon Bank, he created and led Pittsburgh’s famed Renaissance, cleaning the region’s air, controlling its flooding problems, and setting an example of public-private partnership and renewal through the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, which has become the template for major American cities.

A staunch advocate for environmental conservation, Mellon’s philanthropy through the Pittsburgh-based Richard King Mellon Foundation has spent more than $1 billion protecting more than 4.5 million acres, making it one of the largest — if not the largest — conservation agencies in the nation and world. His impact extended to education and healthcare in Pittsburgh. He supported institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, funding research initiatives and infrastructure projects. His contributions helped transform Pittsburgh into a hub for innovation and higher learning. 

Pearl Mesta – The Hostess with the Mostest
Born in 1889 in Pittsburgh, Mesta was a prominent socialite and diplomat, known as the “Hostess with the Mostest.” After the death of her husband George Mesta, a wealthy Pittsburgh industrialist, who left the equivalent of $260 million in today’s dollars, she moved to Washington, D.C. She became famous for throwing lavish parties that brought together politicians, celebrities, Supreme Court justices and international figures. “The woman who knew everyone” was mentioned in dozens of newspaper stories each year. She recognized future political talent before others and attendees at her parties included Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson — often before they became president. The parties provided a social, back-channel means for powerful people of all kinds to build bonds and make things happen. She was appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg by President Harry Truman. Mesta’s charm and connections made her the subject of several movies.  
 
Perry Como – Singer and host of his own TV Show
Como was a legendary singer and television personality born in Canonsburg in 1912. Known for his smooth baritone voice and relaxed demeanor, Como became a beloved figure in American entertainment during the mid-20th century.  He was one of the most popular vocalists of his era, selling more than 100 million records. On television, Como hosted The Perry Como Show for decades, earning him five Emmy Awards and a devoted fan base. His numerous honors included a Peabody Award, Kennedy Center Honor and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.  

Kentuck Knob – A second Wright Masterpiece 
A famous Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, Kentuck Knob is located near Fallingwater in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. Built in 1956 for the Hagan family, the house showcases Wright’s signature Usonian style, emphasizing simplicity and harmony with nature. Perched on a hilltop, Kentuck Knob offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It remains a testament to Wright’s ability to blend modern design with natural beauty and is a celebrated part of the region’s architectural heritage. 

Bruno Sammartino – Professional Wrestling Icon  
He was one of the most celebrated professional wrestlers in history. Sammartino was born in Italy in 1935 and immigrated to Pittsburgh with his family after World War II. Overcoming early hardships, he became a record-setting WWE Champion, holding the title for over 11 years combined, the longest reign in professional wrestling history. His incredible strength and connection to fans made him a hero, especially among Pittsburgh’s immigrant communities. Known for his humility and dedication, Sammartino’s influence transcended the wrestling world, earning him a place in the WWE Hall of Fame and the hearts of Pittsburghers as one of the city’s most admired athletes. 

Birthplace of Artificial Intelligence 
Pittsburgh has been a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) since the field’s inception. Home to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), one of the world’s premier institutions for AI research, the city has fostered advancements in robotics, machine learning, and cognitive computing. Pioneers such as Herbert Simon and Allen Newell were among the first to define the field in the 1950s. CMU’s Robotics Institute, established in 1979, became central to Pittsburgh’s AI legacy. Researchers developed innovative technologies, including autonomous vehicles, speech recognition systems, and industrial robots.  

Herbert Simon, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and cognitive scientist, was a towering figure at CMU. He joined the faculty in 1949 and took the lead in multiple fields, including artificial intelligence (AI), decision-making, and organizational theory. His interdisciplinary work bridged the social sciences, computer science, and psychology, influencing scholars and practitioners. Simon’s contributions to AI began with the Logic Theorist, a program he developed with Allen Newell in 1956. Often regarded as the first artificial intelligence program, it demonstrated how computers could mimic human reasoning. Simon’s research extended to understanding how humans make decisions, leading to his concept of “bounded rationality,” which explains the limitations of human cognition in decision-making processes. Throughout his career, Simon received numerous accolades, including the Turing Award and the National Medal of Science.  

Alan Newell was a visionary computer scientist who spent much of his career at CMU. Alongside Simon, Newell developed theories on artificial intelligence, including the General Problem Solver and the concept of “cognitive architecture.” His work laid the foundation for modern AI.  

In recent decades, Pittsburgh’s AI ecosystem has expanded beyond academia. Companies such as Uber, Google, and Aurora have established research and development centers in the city, further integrating AI into transportation, healthcare, and other industries. Startups and incubators in Pittsburgh’s tech scene have played a significant role as well. Pittsburgh continues to lead by blending academic excellence with entrepreneurial energy.  
 
Moshe Taube – “Schindler’s List” Cantor  
Born in Krakow, Poland in 1927, Taube began singing and studying music at age 8. In 1939, the Nazis took him and his parents and sister, killing his mother and sister and many other family members. Taube and his father were saved by Oskar Schindler. The young Taube later called his survival “divine destiny” and dedicated his voice to God. He was a popular concert performer in Israel in the 1950s and immigrated to the U.S. in 1957, studying at the Juilliard School in New York City before teaching young cantors. In 1965, he became cantor at the Congregation Beth Shalom in Pittsburgh, where he served for more than 40 years. Anyone who heard his magnificent voice would never forget it.  

Shirley Jones – Marian the Librarian   
A celebrated actress and singer, Jones was born in 1934 in Charleroi and raised in nearby Smithton. She developed a passion for music and acting at an early age. Rodgers and Hammerstein discovered her and she quickly rose to fame in musical theater, starring in productions such as The Music Man, Oklahoma! and Carousel. She transitioned to film, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her dramatic role in Elmer Gantry (1960). She is perhaps best known for her role as the matriarch in the popular television series The Partridge Family, which showcased her talent as both an actress and a singer.  
 
Maurice Stokes – Tragic NBA All Star 
A trailblazing basketball player, Stokes was born in Rankin in 1933. A dominant force on the court, he starred at Saint Francis University and later in the NBA with the Rochester/Cincinnati Royals. Known for his versatility and athleticism, Stokes’s career was tragically cut short by a debilitating brain injury. The annual Maurice Stokes/Wilt Chamberlain Charity Game honors his contributions to basketball and his enduring spirit. 
 
The First Aluminum Beer Can  
In 1958, the Pittsburgh Brewing Company, in collaboration with Alcoa, introduced revolutionary packaging for Iron City Beer. The aluminum beer can was lighter, more durable, and easier to recycle than steel cans.
  
Rachel Carson: Spearheaded the Environmental Movement 
Born in Springdale, Carson was an environmentalist and author whose work heightened public awareness of ecological issues. Her famous book, Silent Spring (1962), exposed the dangers of chemical pesticides, particularly DDT, and their devastating effects on ecosystems. Carson’s meticulous research and compelling writing style brought environmental concerns to the forefront of public consciousness, sparking a national conversation about the impact of human activities on nature. 

Carson’s journey as a scientist and writer began at the Pennsylvania College for Women (now Chatham University) in Pittsburgh. Then, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, she honed her skills as a researcher and communicator. Her earlier books, including The Sea Around Us, celebrated the beauty and complexity of the natural world, earning her widespread acclaim and laying the groundwork for her later activism. Silent Spring faced significant opposition from chemical companies, but Carson’s calm yet firm advocacy garnered support from scientists, policymakers, and the public. Her work led to congressional hearings and eventually the banning of DDT in the U.S. Carson’s efforts were instrumental in creating the modern environmental movement and establishing the Environmental Protection Agency. She died of cancer in 1964 at 56. 
 
Hits of the 50s, 60s and 70s
The Skyliners – They rose to fame in the late 1950s with their timeless hit “Since I Don’t Have You.” Formed in 1958, the Skyliner’s lush harmonies and emotional ballads captured the essence of the era. Their success helped solidify Pittsburgh’s reputation as a hub for vocal groups.

The Marcels  – The Pittsburgh-based doo-wop group achieved international fame in 1961 with their upbeat rendition of “Blue Moon” with its signature “bom-ba-ba-bom” introduction changing the classic ballad into a rock-and-roll hit.

Bobby Vinton was known as the “Polish Prince” — the title of his autobiography — from Canonsburg. Born in 1935, Vinton achieved massive success in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like “Blue Velvet,” “Mr. Lonely,” and “Roses Are Red (My Love).”

Lou Christie was born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco in Allegheny County’s Glenwillard section, and is best known for his soaring falsetto and hits like “Lightnin’ Strikes” and “Two Faces Have I.”

The Vogues were from Turtle Creek and gained national acclaim in the 1960s with hits like “You’re the One” and “Five O’Clock World.”

Philip Pearlstein – Realist painter 
The Pittsburgh-born artist is renowned for his realist figure paintings that redefined contemporary art. Born in 1924, Pearlstein studied at Carnegie Mellon University alongside fellow Pittsburgh native Andy Warhol, who pursued pop art. Pearlstein took a different path, focusing on detailed, unidealized depictions of the human form. His work is celebrated for its compositions and meticulous attention to detail, which challenge traditional notions of portraiture and abstraction. He mentored other artists as a professor at Brooklyn College.  
 
Dr. Cyril Wecht – Debunking the Magic Bullet
Dr. Wecht was a brilliant forensic pathologist and Pittsburgh native who gained national prominence for his outspoken critique of the Warren Commission’s findings on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Wecht challenged the “Magic Bullet Theory,” which suggested that a single bullet caused multiple injuries to Kennedy and Texas Governor John Connally. His skepticism and expert analysis highlighted inconsistencies in the official investigation, fueling ongoing debates about the assassination. Beyond his involvement in the Kennedy case, Wecht had a distinguished career, serving as the Allegheny County Coroner and a leading voice in forensic pathology.  
  
Andy Warhol – Father of Pop Art  
Born in Pittsburgh in 1928, Warhol was one of the most iconic and influential artists of the 20th century. The leading figure in the pop art movement, Warhol transformed everyday objects and celebrities into bold, provocative works of art. His early years in Pittsburgh, where his family of Slovak immigrants struggled to make ends meet, influenced his appreciation for consumer culture and mass production. After studying at Carnegie Mellon University, Warhol moved to New York City, where he gained fame for works such as Campbell’s Soup Cans and Marilyn Diptych, depicting Marilyn Monroe. His use of silk screen printing and his fascination with fame and consumerism challenged traditional boundaries between fine art and commercial design. 
Warhol’s studio, The Factory, became a hub of creativity, attracting artists, musicians, and socialites. Through his art, films, and personality, Warhol blurred the lines between high and low culture, redefining the role of the artist in modern society. He once said: “Art? That’s a man’s name.” His works are celebrated for their wit, innovation, and cultural commentary. The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh houses the largest collection of his works and offers insight into his life and influence.  
 
Barbara Feldon – Agent 99  
A Pittsburgh native, she is best known for her iconic role as Agent 99 in the 1960s television series Get Smart. Born in Bethel Park, Feldon studied drama at Carnegie Mellon University. Her quick wit, comedic timing, charm and beauty brought Agent 99 to life, making her one of the most memorable characters in television history. The role earned her an Emmy nomination and solidified her place in pop culture. Known for her elegance and intelligence, Feldon had a successful career in television, film, and theater, appearing in shows such as The Dean Martin Show and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. 

Frank Gorshin – “The Riddler”  
The Pittsburgh native, born in 1933, gained fame as a versatile actor and impressionist. He was best known for his role as the Riddler in the 1960s television series Batman. Gorshin’s energetic performances and knack for mimicry made him a standout in both comedic and dramatic roles. His portrayal of the Riddler, with its mix of menace and humor, earned him an Emmy nomination and cemented his place in pop culture history. Beyond Batman, Gorshin appeared in films, television shows, and stage productions, showcasing his remarkable range as an entertainer.