Memphis: city of firsts

1916 Piggly Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store in the country, opens, finally evolving into the first modern supermarket.

1948 WDIA radio adopts the first all African-American format, launching the careers of B.B. King, Rufus Thomas and others.

1952 Kemmons Wilson opens the first Holiday Inn --part of the first hotel-motel chain in the country -- in Memphis.

1952 Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats records "Rocket 88" -- considered by some to be the first rock-and-roll recording -- at Sun Studio.

1954 Also at Sun Studio, Elvis Presley records his first hit, "That's All Right (Mama)," and becomes an international superstar.

1972 FedEx bases its operations in Memphis and makes its first overnight package delivery.

Source: "Insiders' Guide to Memphis" by Nicky Robertshaw