As the story goes, the modern-day “plain” pizza—dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and basil, representing the Italian flag’s red, white, and green colors—was dubbed the Pizza Margherita during a visit to Naples by Queen Margherita in 1889. By that time, pizza had actually been popular among the working poor in southern Italy for more than a century, and flatbreads and focaccia (sometimes served with toppings) had been around for far longer.
Slices of History: Great Moments in Pizza Innovation
A brief look back at some of the big innovations that have helped pizza become fully ingrained in modern American dining culture
1889: Pizza (As We Know It) Is Born
Full List
Pizza Pizza!
- The Pizza, It Is A-Changin’
- 1889: Pizza (As We Know It) Is Born
- 1905: The First American Pizzeria
- World War Era: Regional Specialties on the Map
- 1958: Birth of a Pizza Chain
- 1960: Era of Speedy Delivery Arrives
- 1962: Pizza Hits the Frozen Food Section
- 1962: The Advent of Wacky Toppings
- 1985: No More Collapsing Boxes
- 1995: The “Take-and-Bake” Revolution
- 2010: Gluten-Free Pizza Hits the Scene
- 2012: Pizza Goes Fast Casual
- 2013: Wild Innovations Keep on Coming