Food for Thought: Idea for First Diner in US Cooked Up in Rhode Island

Walter Scott came up with the concept of a food wagon in the 1800s.

September 6, 2024

Friends eating fast food at the table in the diner

Did you know that the good old-fashioned American diner originated in Rhode Island?

Walter Scott was a pressman in Rhode Island, working first for the Providence Evening Press and then for the Morning Star. His dream of being a young entrepreneur led him to quit his job, and in 1872 he began selling food out of a horse-pulled wagon.

That led to the diner as we know it today, perfected in the early 20th century by Jerry O’Mahony.

Get the full story in the reel below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rhode Island PBS & The Public’s Radio (@rhodeislandpbs)

Allison Magnus Allison Magnus is the Social Media & Digital Producer for Rhode Island PBS. She runs all of the stations’ social media accounts and YouTube channels, creating graphics, thumbnails, reels, and trending promotional content. Allison graduated from The University of Rhode Island with a dual Film and English degree. She has been writing, directing, editing, and producing all forms of media content from short films to social media videos for almost a decade now. Previously, Allison was a radio host and general manager for WRIU 90.3 FM. In her free time, you can find Allison traveling around the world documenting her explorations.

Health

Suicide prevention in jail shows promising results, Brown University study finds

Researchers tested therapy and follow-up support for people behind bars in Rhode Island and Michigan — and saw suicide attempts drop 55% after release

January 20, 2026

Joe Tasca

Sports

Maye throws 3 TD passes, Stroud has 4 INTs as Patriots top Texans 28-16 to advance to AFC title game

The Patriots will take on the Broncos in Denver next Sunday, with the winner advancing to the NFL’s title game in three weeks

January 19, 2026

Kyle Hightower

Climate + Environment

Sharks are famous for fearsome teeth, but ocean acidification could make them weaker

‘We found there is a corrosion effect on sharks’ teeth, their whole ecological success in the ocean as the rulers of other populations could be in danger’

January 19, 2026

Patrick Whittle