American Diners

A diner, is usually seen as a small fast food restaurant that is found frequently in the Northeastern United States and Midwest, as well as parts of Western Europe. The first diner was created in 1872 by Walter Scott, who sold food out of a horse-pulled wagon to employees of the Providence Journal, in Providence, Rhode Island. Scott's wagon had windows on each side of the wagon, making it the first “walk up” service diner. Diners offer a wide range of foods typically serving American cuisine such as hamburgers, fries, milkshakes, coffee, pancakes, and have a distinct exterior structure, a casual atmosphere, a long counter with bar stools where patrons eat their meals, and late operating hours. Diners frequently stay open 24 hours a day, especially in cities and towns with a busy bar scene or with factories with night shift workers. Bar patrons seeking a post "last call" venue to socialize and get food as well as shift workers leaving their factories historically provided a key part of the customer base. Although diners began to lose a share of their market to the new fast food establishments, its role in American history has significantly affected every aspect of life including cooking, dining out, popular culture, design, fashion and more.