History of the Hot Dog:

Claims of "invention" of the hot dog are difficult to assess, because different stories assert the creation of the sausage itself, the placing of the sausage (or another kind of sausage) on bread or a bun . . .

In 1916, an employee of Feltman's named Nathan Handwerker was encouraged by celebrity clients Eddie Canter and Jimmy Durante to go into business in competition with his former employer.  Handwerker undercut Feltman's by charging five cents for a hot dog when his former employer was charging ten.  At a time when food regulation was in its infancy, and the pedigree of the hot dog particularly suspect, Handwerker made sure that men wearing surgeon's smocks were seen eating at Nathan's Famous in order to reassure potential customers.

Hot Dog Links:

• Fact Monster Hot Dog History
• National Hot Dog & Sausage Council
• infoPlease Hot Dog Info
• Kid's Turn Info on Hot Dogs
• Hot Dog Kids