Smallscreen News

Milwaukee and American Idol, like Laverne and Shirley, previews

By April MacIntyre Jan 25, 2011, 20:57 GMT

Wild card Steven Tyler - Farm Aid 25 - Miller Park - Milwaukee, WI, USA © Jennifer Bronenkant / PR Photos

Milwaukee, the American home of iconic TV gal pals "Laverne & Shirley," and beer, lots of beer.

Here are some fascinating Milwaukee facts, courtesy of www.milwacky.com

• The name Milwaukee comes from the Native American word “Milliocki” meaning gathering place by the water.

• Milwaukee is the 22nd largest city in America.

• This Jewel of the Great Lakes is home to Summerfest, the world’s largest music festival according to the Guinness Book of World Records. This eleven-day event boasts 10 ground stages and a 23,000-seat amphitheater featuring a variety of music, from national headline acts to up-and-comers.

• The Allen Bradley Clocktower is one of Milwaukee’s most recognizable landmarks. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Allen Bradley Clock as the largest four-faced clock in the world. It is actually four separate clocks, each with an octagonal face nearly twice the size of the clocks on London’s Big Ben Tower. The clock serves as an official navigation aid and is so designated on the maps of the United States Coast Guard.Plans to install chimes were canceled to allow Big Ben in London, England to remain the largest CHIMING four-faced clock in the world.

• Milwaukee’s first larger brewery opened in 1841. By 1856, the city boasted 26 local breweries.

• The typewriter was invented in Milwaukee in 1867 by Christopher Latham Sholes.

• The skywalk over the Milwaukee River is the only skywalk in the U.S. that spans a river used by boats.

• The Milwaukee Art Museum’s Burke Brise Soleil (the “wings”) wingspans spreads 217 feet at its widest point, wider then a Boeing 747.

• The Milwaukee Public Museum is home to the world’s largest dinosaur skull.

• Milwaukee was the first city to engineer a major league franchise shift when the Braves, formally of Boston, came to Milwaukee.

• The Milwaukee born actor Gene Wilder played Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

• Milwaukee sometimes referred to as "Cream City" because of the buildings that were built in cream colored brick. It's unique yellow color disappointed pioneer brick makers. They were astonished when builders from across the country were willing to pay double its price. Although the brick is no longer made, it is still in high demand and often recycled.

• The name "Milwaukee" comes from the Native American word "Milliocki" meaning "gathering place by the waters."

• Usingers Sausage in Milwaukee is known as "The Tiffany of Sausagemakers?"

• The Zucker Brothers, two famous brothers in the movie industry, are originally from Milwaukee.

• Frank Lloyd Wright designed The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa, a suburb of Milwaukee.

• In the late 1800s Milwaukee become known as "Beertown." four famous Milwaukee brewers are Frederick Pabst, Frederick Miller, Joseph Schlitz and Valentine Blatz.

• Milwaukee is the official national headquarters for Bowling

• Milwaukee is the hometown of Harley-Davidson the legendary motorcycle company.

American Idol went to Milwaukee, where a slew of hopefuls bellied up to the stage. There were bad, sad and downright awful auditions, and then one country singer who was 16 years-old who sang like George Strait. So, as per usual, it's always a talent crapshoot.

Audition night continues Wednesday, Jan. 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX Thousands of hopefuls attended the American Idol auditions in Milwaukee for a shot at becoming America’s next superstar.