20 greatest things "made in New Jersey" ahead of special New Jersey Devils night

The New Jersey Devils are hosting "Made in Jersey" night to commemorate the end of the season. So, we're taking a look at the greatest things that were ever made in New Jersey.
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The New Jersey Devils announced they were going to celebrate the final game of the regular season as "Made in Jersey Night." Luckily, unlike other years, this won't be the end of the season as the Devils did make the playoffs, but it will be a nice celebration of everything the Garden State has to offer.

And it's a lot. Some of the greatest people and places are right here in New Jersey. Inventions that changed the world started in the borders of the fourth smallest state in the United States. So much has come out of just under 9,000 square feet.

And while our biased nature wants to put all three Stanley Cups on this list, realistically, we have to rank the 20 greatest things to come out of this great state. One note: This isn't necessarily a ranking, so don't get too caught up in the numbers.

20 greatest inventions, creations, and ideas made in New Jersey

20. Jersey Mike's Subs

So much great food is coming out of New Jersey, and multiple franchises started here, including Blimpie's, Surf Taco, and Chick-Fil-A. However, we got to go with the one who bears the Jersey name. Jersey Mike's brings a love of sub sandwiches nationwide. It all started in Point Pleasant as a storefront competing as a mom-and-pop in 1956. Mike probably didn't know what it would become, which is now home to 3,500 locations and hundreds of millions of dollars in yearly revenue. In 1971, a young man by the name of Peter Cancro took control of the shop, and he eventually franchised it, making it what it is today.

19. Martin Brodeur's Wins Record

There has to be some Devils-related things on this list, and Martin Brodeur's wins record is the most impressive of his many records. He won 691 games in the NHL regular season. A majority of those wins, 380, have come in New Jersey. He also helped the Devils win both the 1995 and 2003 Stanley Cups in New Jersey (the 2000 win came on the road in Dallas). Brodeur was able to get around, getting home wins at Brenden Byrne Arena/Continental Airlines Arena and the Devils' current home, the Prudential Center.

18. El Toro

Six Flags Great Adventure is home of so many great roller coasters. Nitro is many of this generation's first favorite roller coaster. Kingda Ka, which was just taken down this year, was long known as the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Skull Mountain still gives me the creeps by riding in the dark. Heck, even Rolling Thunder had a special place in our hearts when it was open. But El Toro is the best of the bunch. Often named the best wooden roller coaster in the world, El Toro has coaster enthusiasts coming from across the globe to Jackson, New Jersey.

17. Skee-Ball

Boardwalks and arcades are a central part of New Jersey lore, as traveling to the Jersey Shore was how most families grew up in the summer time. That includes some of the most incredible tourist destinations on the East Coast. That's why it's not a surprise that Skee-Ball was invented in New Jersey. The game was given a patent way back in 1908 to Joseph Fourestier of Vineland. It's been almost 120 years, and the games are still relatively the same. If you go to Seaside Heights today, you might find skee-ball machines that appear to be a century old, but that's part of the charm.

16. Whitney Houston

There are too many musical acts that come from New Jersey. Honestly, it's so many that many lose track. The greats of all time, like Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jon Bon Jovi, Lauren Hill, My Chemical Romance, and the Jonas Brothers are just a few of the dozens of acts who once called New Jersey home. However, Whitney Houston is the greatest talent to come out of New Jersey. Houston was born in New Jersey in 1963, calling Newark home. She eventually moved to East Orange and grew up in the Garden State. When she tragically passed away, they brought her remains back to New Jersey as her final resting "home."

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